23 Jan 2012

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

Gingrich storms to victory, scrambling GOP race

Saudis to pull observers from Syria mission

Libyan NTC deputy head quits after protests

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Super Mario sinks Spurs, United down Arsenal

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‘Remorseful’ Saleh bids farewell, leaves Yemen

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www.kuwaittimes.net

SAFAR 29, 1433 AH

Outgoing president heading to US, opponents rally

Former minister, envoy Sheikh Saud dies KUWAIT: A former oil minister and senior member of the AlSabah ruling family, Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, has died after a long battle with cancer, said the Amiri Diwan. He was 68.

Sheikh Saud died late on Saturday night in a Kuwaiti hospital, the royal court said in a statement. Sheikh Saud, who also served as ambassador to Britain in the 1980s and later to the United States, returned to Kuwait earlier this month after a year in London receiving medical treatment for cancer.

During the 1990-1991 Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, Sheikh Saud played an important diplomatic role in helping form a US-led international coalition that liberated Kuwait in Feb 1991. Following the first general election after the liberation in 1992, Sheikh Saud was appointed information minister in his first ministerial post. In 1998, he was appointed oil minister until 2001. His funeral was held yesterday.

A statement yesterday from former President George H W Bush called Sheikh Saud a “trusted partner” during the occupation and the US-led war in 1991 that drove Saddam’s military from Kuwait. “Throughout that defining ordeal, he stood proudly with the United States as our coalition ejected Saddam’s forces from Kuwaiti soil and upheld international law,” said Bush’s statement from Houston. “He was truly a good man, and a joy with whom to work.” Sheikh Saud was a leading voice calling for international help during Iraq’s occupation. But he was forced to defend his tactics when it was revealed that his then-teenage daughter, Nayirah, told US lawmakers in Oct 1990 that she had witnessed Iraqi soldiers yank newborn babies from incubators. Several rights groups later questioned the account, which helped galvanize US public opinion in favor of war. In the past decade, Sheikh Saud played an elder statesmen’s role with close ties to the White House and US officials.

He also was a strong opponent of anti-Western views by Islamist hardliners in Kuwait. In 2003, he joined other Kuwaiti leaders in endorsing the US invasion of Iraq and called it the “beginning of the end” for extremists. — Agencies

KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (center), family members and other officials attend the funeral of Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser AlSabah yesterday. (Inset) Then oil minister Sheikh Saud gestures during a press conference in this Dec 29, 1998 file photo. — AP/AFP (See Page 3)

Oppn, pro-govt hopefuls clash Candidates down to 321

By B Izzak KUWAIT: The election campaign has heated up with just 10 days remaining for election day. A majority of the candidates have either opened their election headquarters or are about to do so in the coming few days. Opposition and progovernment candidates traded accusations on the intentions of each group with the opposition warning that if the “forces of corruption” win the election, the consequences will be catastrophic for Kuwait and its future. Pro-government candidates openly charged that opposition candidates were aiming to destabilise the country and the regime and urged voters to help support the government to revive the economy and development.

Former Islamist Salafist MP Khaled AlSultan called on the government to stay away from the election of the next Assembly speaker, adding that the government should not participate in the election and leave it to MPs. No one has so far openly announced he will contest

the speaker’s post, but candidates like Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Mohammad AlSager, Abdullah Al-Roumi and former minister and MP Ali Al-Rashed have been tipped to run for the coveted post. All of them declined to say they are running but all of them said they will wait for the election results before making their intentions public. The government has 16 ministers and all of them can vote on almost all issues like elected MPs although they are unelected. As a result, candidates who get the government’s support are highly expected to win.

In another development, local satellite television station Al-Erada which was established just a few days ago to cover the election has been shut down. The government had been trying in vain to close the station because it started broadcasting without obtaining the necessary license from the information ministry. Owners of the station said that they had established the station outside Kuwait and started broadcasting on Egypt’s Nilesat and accordingly they do Continued on Page 13

Max 15º Min 01º High Tide 12:47 & 23:19 Low Tide 05:54 & 17:19

SANAA: Yemen’s veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh said he will head to the United States for medical treatment as he asked his people for forgiveness in a farewell speech delivered as he left Sanaa yesterday. “I will go to the United States for treatment and will then return as head of the General People’s Congress (GPC) party,” Saleh said in a televised speech. “I ask for forgiveness from all my people, men and women, for any shortcomings during my 33-year-long rule,” he added. “Now we must concentrate on our martyrs and injured.”

An official close to the presidency told AFP that “the Yemeni president left Sanaa” without specifying Saleh’s destination. Diplomats in Sanaa however said that Saleh’s eldest son Ahmed - who commands the feared Republican Guard - was “already in Oman” to prepare for his father’s visit.

Continued on Page 13

SANAA: Outgoing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh speaks to the press at the presidential palace yesterday. — AP

Legendary US football coach Paterno dies

CMA, HSBC ink deal to privatise bourse

WASHINGTON: Penn State’s iconic American football coach Joe Paterno, who was fired last year in the wake of child sex abuse charges against an assistant, died early yesterday after suffering complications from lung cancer. “It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today,” the Paterno family said in a statement. “His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled. He died as he lived.

He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been.” Mount Nittany Medical Center said the sports hero died of Joe Paterno metastatic small cell carcinoma. “Joe was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, and they request privacy during this difficult time,” the hospital said in a statement.

Paterno, 85, won more games than any other toplevel US collegiate coach in history and the fame of Penn State University’s gridiron team helped enlarge the school’s reputation and academic offerings. But his storied coaching career ended under a dark cloud.

Continued on Page 13

Global, KAMCO cut 100 jobs KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority signed an agreement yesterday with HSBC bank for the privatisation of the Kuwait Stock Exchange and setting up a new company to run the bourse. The privatisation plan was outlined in Kuwait’s new Capital Markets Authority Law, which also set up the state’s first market regulator. Under the plan, 50 percent of the stock market will be floated in an initial public offering for Kuwaiti citizens. The remaining 50 percent will be auctioned to listed companies, each of which can only buy a 5 percent stake in the market. The agreement was for a period of six months under which HSBC bank would begin the privatisation process, KSE Company ’s Abdullah Al-Gabandi told a news conference. “We are confident that the privatisation of the stock exchange will be of a great benefit to Kuwait’s economy, investors and the listed companies,” he said.

Parliament in 2010 passed legislation to set up the CMA as an independent regulator for Kuwait’s stock market with an aim to boost transparency in the Arab

world’s third largest bourse in terms of capitalisation. The market has a capitalisation of around $100 billion and lists 215 local and foreign companies. The privatisation plan, if completed, would make the Kuwaiti exchange the second listed bourse in the region after the Dubai Financial Market. Last year, the exchange’s head said the IPO plan was flawed and hurt its independence.

Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority and HSBC bank officials sign a deal for the privatisation of the Kuwait Stock Exchange yesterday. —Photo by Joseph Shagra

in the

news

Top court clears alleged Qaeda cell KUWAIT: Kuwait’s supreme court yesterday confirmed the acquittal of six nationals charged with plotting attacks on a US military base in 2009 after forming an Al-Qaeda cell, one of their lawyers said.

The ruling is final after the men were also acquitted by a lower court in May 2010 and by the court of appeal in November 2010, Abdullah Al-Kandari said in a statement. The men, along with two other fugitives, were charged with plotting to attack the US military base at Arifjan, that is home to more than 15,000 American troops. The case of the two others, who were tried and acquitted in absentia by the lower courts, did not come up before the supreme court because they are still outside the country. Five of the men were arrested in August 2009 while the sixth defendant was already serving a life sentence for a 2002 attack on the US military in Kuwait that killed an American soldier.

17 die as Iran boat capsizes in Hormuz

Iraq, Kuwait mull reparations ‘fund’ BAGHDAD: Iraq and Kuwait are considering a plan to pay the war reparations which Baghdad still owes its neighbour into a fund for Iraqi investments, the UN’s envoy said yesterday. Iraq, which pays five percent of its oil revenues into a UN reparations fund, is required to hand over another $18 billion, the bulk of it to Kuwait.

“There is a proposal on the table that the amount still outstanding is reinvested in Iraq,” Martin Kobler, the UN chief’s special representative to Baghdad, said. “So that this is in a kind of trust fund ...(and) the (UN) resolution is fulfilled, however the money is reinvested in Iraq for the benefit of the people of Iraq.” Iraq has so far paid out $34.3 billion to claimants for Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, of which around $25 billion has gone to Kuwait. Iraq also owes Kuwait around $16 billion for loans which Saddam took out to fund his 1980-1988 war against Iran.

BANDAR ABBAS: Workers transport the body of a capsized boat victim at this Iranian port city yesterday. — AP

TEHRAN: Seventeen people died when an Iranian passenger boat capsized in heavy winds after running out of fuel in the Strait of Hormuz, the official IRNA news agency reported yesterday. The boat set sail Saturday evening from Hormuz Island, the most northern piece of land at the entrance of the Gulf, to the port city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, said IRNA. The vessel ran out of fuel during the 10-km journey and was caught in a heavy storm, which also hampered rescue efforts, state television reported. It then capsized and its 22 passengers, captain and crew members were trapped underneath, IRNA said.

Rescue teams saved five people, a provincial sailing official, Hossein Khoshbakht, told the agency. An eyewitness told AP that most of the dead were senior citizens, members of a visiting tour to the island. Every day dozens of passenger boats travel between Bandar Abbas and nearby islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, some 1,070 km south of the capital Tehran.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

LOCAL

‘Focus on Kuwait while choosing candidates’ Representatives of diwaniyas meet

KUWAIT: Adel Al-Tukheim addressing the meeting.

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Citizens gathered yesterday, to discuss the current political situation in Kuwait, in the diwaniya of Abdulaziz Al-Ghannam in Abdullah Al-Salem. A coordinating committee read out a proclamation entitled ‘A letter from the heart’ addressed to fellow citizens. Citizens rejected the recent political upheaval. “The past behavior of some MPs digressed from original Kuwaiti culture, traditions, and principles. They acted against

KUWAIT: Some of the attendees including Mohammed Al-Juweihel (middle).

democratic principles and the right to express opinion excusing by fighting corruption,” read out Adel AlTukheim.

The country suffers from an unfavorable situation due to government negligence and the pressure placed by some MPs’ un-parliamentar y behavior. “ The government is not serious about solving many issues, especially the failure of Kuwait’s citizens, and its negligence in enforcing laws and fighting corruption.

Furthermore, development has halt-

ed in many fields,” he added.

“In the past, the opposition blocs were responsible for passing legislations, as they had Kuwait in their heart. Today’s groups have made vested interest their priority and their goals have changed from building the country to destroying it. They wasted precious time and vexed people with non-stop grilling motions for personal reasons, hurling abuses at each other. In the end, they went to the street to promote strange slogans and definitions that do not

match with our peaceful situation in Kuwait,” stressed Al-Tukheim.

Anwar Al-Rifai, from the coordinating committee explained the reason behind reading out this message addressed to voters. “HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah called upon the citizens to make the right choice. And we believe in the important role played by diwaniyas in the lives of Kuwaitis in the past and present. We aim to address this message as we approach elections. We expect this to be the

Four likely candidates for speaker post KUWAIT: Speculations are heating up few days ahead of election day about which of the current candidates could possibly be eyeing the speaker post in the upcoming parliament. On that regard, a report published by Al-Qabas yesterday suggests based on observations that competition for the post is likely going to be exclusive to four candidates: Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Mohammad Al-Saqr, Abdullah Al-Roumi and Ali Al-Rashid - all of whom are former lawmakers.

Ever since former speaker Jassem AlKhorafi announced he is not contesting in the upcoming elections, many people place former three -time speaker AlSaadoun as frontrunner to the post. The opposition figurehead himself did not hide in an earlier report his intentions to run for speakership if elected “against whoever is supported by the Cabinet”, but added that he would shun away from the post if the 50 elected MPs agree on a single candidate.

Al-Saadoun still indicated in his statements that the speaker’s post isn’t his top priority. He assured he is focused on “saving Kuwait from widespread corruption”.

Al-Saadoun’s main opponent for speaker-

ship is widely speculated to be Mohammad Al-Saqr, who responded when previously asked about the matter that it is too early to talk about it now when elections are yet to take place.

Similar statements were mentioned by former Deput y Speaker Abdullah AlRoumi, who is considered to be the third potential runner up to the speaker’s post.

In recent statements to Al-Rai daily, the former MP said that his decision will be determined after elections.

Former MP and minister Ali Al-Rashid said when asked about the subject that he didn’t even start thinking about running for speakership, yet he didn’t rule out the possibility of running when he said ‘everything at its time’. The cautious answers given by the likely frontrunners to the speakership post is not surprising to many observers especially that it would rather be considered illogical for any candidate to officially announce they are running for the post when they can’t even assure they are going to be elected in the first place.

In the meantime, the Al-Qabas report mentions information indicating that the Cabinet is likely going to give its sixteen members freedom to vote for whoever

KTA demands explanation from minister KUWAIT: The Kuwait Teachers Association (KTA) demanded that the Education Minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi explain the steps taken by the ministry on payment of recently approved allowances to teachers, amid a flurry of contradicting statements made by public figures, especially the declaration made by Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs Radhi Al-Rashidi.

The minister stated that he did not receive any instructions about payments made to teachers’ cadre, adding that the financial sector in the ministry has not received any instructions from any party concerning payment. Once they receive necessary instructions, they are ready to begin official procedures as per the financial sector’s regulations.

The Kuwait Teachers’ Association pointed out that such a declaration reflects no seriousness on concerned authorities’ part, explaining what has been decided about this matter, in accordance with the law number 28 for the year 2011 concerning teachers’ cadre. It was approved by His Highness the Amir and published in the official gazette on 18, Dec 2011.

The Association stated that direct intervention from the minister is required to explain the declarations made by AlRashidi. — Al-Anbaa

they prefer during the voting process for the speaker’s post, unlike previous terms when the government unanimously voted in favor of Al-Khorafi.

In other news, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is reportedly falling under pressure to stop support to second constituenc y candidate Abdurrahman AlAnjari. NDA now threatens the former MP’s chances of reelection should he lose the liberal group’s support.

A report by Annahar quoting a source within the NDA with knowledge of the subject cited “severe disputes” between the two sides as the reason behind the recent development. Moreover, the anonymous source notes that that former MP M eshari Al-Anjari tried to mediate between in order to eliminate the rift between Abdurrahman Al-Anjari and the NDA, but his attempts so far went to no avail. The report also hints that the NDA is still weighing options on whether to support second constituency candidate Dr. Mohammad Al-Abduljader, adding that their decision is likely to be based on how effective the support would be to increasing chances of their own candidates to win the elections, reported Annahar.

Lebanese ministers praise Kuwaiti democracy B E I R U T: T h e p a r l i a m e n t a r y elections to be held in Kuwait on Feb 2 will reflect will of the people and enhance democratic process in the country, Lebanese ministers stated.

M inister of Foreign Affairs Ad n a n M a n s o u r p r a i s e d t h e parliamentary elections in Kuwait that became a choice of the people of the Gulf state.

The election in Kuwait is invoked by the people and is an expression of their aspirations, especially when prac ticed with integrity and transparency, he said.

Kuwaiti and Lebanese peoples are similar in their passion for freedom and democrac y, and Kuwait is considered a leading countr y in freedoms, especially the freedom of

media.

Minister of Environment Nathem AlKhouri recalled the role of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah played when he was a foreign minister of the country for reaching an agreement among the warring Lebanese factions.

Kuwait which contributed in helping Lebanon in resolving its crises, will not be hampered to overcome some of its problems through the democratic means, he stated.

He hailed the security and stability in Kuwait, highlighting its political history and free journalism. Kuwait will emerge from the elections stronger in the democratic per formance, he added. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Jawad Bu Khamsin delivering a speech. — Photos by Joseph Shagra crucial turning point to our parliament history, as it will be held during a very dangerous and complicated regional circumstances. We need a responsible Parliament with real and clear vision,” he pointed out. Al-Rifai demanded a new Parliament that respects the Constitution and the laws. “We hope that new MPs will lead parliamentary work, correct legislation, and honest control of the governmental per formance. This should strengthen democracy and develop reforms and developments.

So we call upon men and women to realize the great responsibility and their role in making a change to the present and the future of Kuwait. We ask them to think logically and to make Kuwait their top priority while choosing candidates. They should remember the bad examples set by former MPs who reached the Parliament with our votes,” he concluded.

At least 48 representatives of diwaniyas from different areas and constituencies attended the meeting.

Call for comprehensive development KUWAIT: Second Constituency candidate Dr Abdullah Al-Arada said yesterday if he was to be elected for the upcoming parliament he would enforce security for everyone in terms of education, health care, economy and social services.

At the inauguration of his campaign for the Feb 2 elections, Al-Arada said a good education would result in good students that would better serve their country.

Improving health care by building new hospitals and clinics will also provide medical security, he argued. Boosting economic security through transforming Kuwait into a regional commercial and financial hub will increase investments and create more jobs, he said.

Al-Arada said the cooperation between legislative and executive authorities was very important to bring about proper implementation of the development plan.

The candidate called for addressing what he called “corrupted media which is tarnishing our national unity.”

Meanwhile, National Assembly candidate in the Third Constituency Taleb Shalash stressed the need for more care to the economics of education and educational planning as the means to guarantee better qualified graduates in the future.

The candidate said his program focuses on education, inspired by his own experience as teacher, and would address issues including public education, higher education, and change of curricula toward a more comprehensive model.

Other issues that he said interest him include Kuwaiti citizens’ debt, the housing problem, and he considered one option to solve these is offering investment alternatives, speeding up infrastructure construction, and the private sector contributing to the development process. These issues require a “practical and viable” solution, he said. The candidate said he would also focus on improving legislation toward real-

Dr Abdullah Al-Arada izing the goal of rendering the state a regional and international economic and financial center.

In another development, the Interior Ministry yesterday set Jan 25 as the deadline to present names of candidates’ representatives in the 2012 National Assembly elections’ committees.

Head of elections affairs at the Interior Ministry Colonel Mohammad Al-Adwani said that the ministry would finalize the names of the representatives by the specified date. Deputy head of the department Lieut-Colonel Salah Al-Shatti said, on his part, that the estimated numbers of representatives might hit over 10,000, affirming that the department had taken the necessar y steps to receive representatives’ papers. Vote-day for the 2012 elections will be on February second. Withdrawing from the elections race will be open till Jan 25. —KUNA

World Energy Forum in Kuwait next March KUWAIT: Kuwait will be hosting the 13th International Energy Forum (IEF) from March 12 to 14 under the patronage of the Kuwaiti leadership, said a statement by the Ministry of Oil here yesterday.

The ministry said in a press release that the meeting would be the first ministerial meeting for oil after issuing the IEF charter, signed by 87 countries in the forum’s last meeting in February.

Committees were assigned by the Ministry and other institutes to organize

the event, said the statement.

The IEF is the world’s largest recurring gathering of energy ministers. It is unique in that participants not only include IEA and OPEC countries, but also key international actors such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. The IEF countries account for more than 90 percent of global oil and gas supply and demand. The IEF is promoted by a permanent secretariat based in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh. — KUNA

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

local

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, ministers, sheikhs and Kuwaiti nationals attend the funeral of former oil minister Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah at the Sulaibikhat cemetery yesterday. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

Women should grow beyond image

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Fourth Constituency candidate lawyer Thikra Al-Rashidi said: “Women did occupy the post of minister until recently, but the matter remained with the framework of improving the image.” She added that it is not possible to keep women, who are more in number to remain represented by few or like a “flower that must be there to give the image of beauty.”

She wondered why are not there more women in the government, as there are more women than men in Kuwait society.

She said the woman may say that this does not concern her a lot, but what concerns her are lost rights that are related to daily action and overlapping interests with men and the patronizing imposed by men on woman.

There is no political will to grant women many rights until now, she said, adding that “we are not getting answers for this negligence”.

Al-Rashidi demanded that there should

be a ban on allowing the husband to receive the savings and credits loans alone, and buy a house without the participation of his wife. She also asked for allowing the woman who has custody to process all what concerns the child, even if that necessitates a legislation. Al-Rashidi also called for a law to allow the custodian of the children to receive an instant loan from one of the accounts that can be opened through establishing a fund for support.

She said the Kuwaiti woman who is married to a foreigner should have the right for housing just like the man who is married to a foreigner, and men should understand such demands, because he has a mother, daughter and wife and he will not accept if their rights are to be lost.

Women represent half the society, and she delivers the other half, and for that “we will keep talking about women and demand her rights because we believe protecting women is a protection of the family and in turn the society.

Kuwaiti cabinet holds weekly meeting KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet held its weekly meeting at Seif Palace yesterday under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Emerging from the meeting, spokesman for the government, Justice Minister and Minister of Education and Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mlaifi said at the onset of the meeting, the ministers were briefed on a letter recently sent to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah from Assistant Private Secretary to British Queen Elizabeth II Samantha Cohen.

The letter included invitation to HH to attend a huge military parade in May 2012.

The cabinet also eulogized late oil minister Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah, who passed away Saturday. The minister extolled Sheikh Saud’s service for Kuwait in and outside the country, especially during the Iraqi occupation early 1990s. Minister of Oil and Minister

of National Assembly Affairs Mohammad AlBusairi presented to the cabinet the periodical report on the achievements of the environment projects program during the period September-November 2011.

The cabinet also approved two draft laws for Kuwait’s joining Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and on joining Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. The two bills were referred to HH the Amir for final approval.

The ministers endorsed and referred to HH the Amir a memo of understanding between Kuwait and Morocco to exempt diplomats, senior government members and royal family members from entry visa. It also approved two bills for opening additional credit for Kuwait Ports Authority and Ministry of Higher Education. The cabinet reviewed the latest political developments on the local, regional and international levels. —KUNA

‘Kuwait, GCC not ready to face nuclear crisis’ Government playing politics

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Neither Kuwait nor the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] countries are prepared for any incident of nuclear disaster in the Middle East, says environment activist Dr Khaled Al-Hajery. Speaking with the Kuwait Times, Al-Hajery, Greenline chairman, said his group had advised and urged the Kuwaiti authorities and other GCC countries many years ago to act and be ready for any nuclear disaster but still no one seems to listen. “The nuclear problem has started way back from the beginning of the Bushehr nuclear operation in September 2011. Since then, there had been nuclear waste coming out from the nuclear facility but do we really care? We are dealing and have been talking about nuclear issue since the operation of the Bushehr Plant, but the government didn’t do anything,” he said. Yesterday reports from several Arabic dailies mentioned the GCC’s ‘rapid deployment team’ to face repercussions of a possible accident at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant which is located just across the Gulf water, or around 236 km from Ras Al Zour in Kuwait. Aleqtisadia Arabic language daily said, quoting Tariq Al-Obaid, secretary general of the Geneva-based Euro-Arab Environment Organization (EAEO), GCC countries could be the first victims of any nuclear radiation from the Iranian plant.

Obaid told the Riyadh-based paper that the committees had started working on studies to

‘Iran will defend itself if threatened’ KUWAIT: Iran seeks to engage in more dialogue with neighboring countries to maintain stability in the region without the need for foreign intervention, especially concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz, said a top Iranian diplomat to a Kuwaiti daily recently.

Calling the process of maintaining the region’s security as “a collective mission,” Iran’s Charge d’Affairs in Kuwait Dr Mohammad Shehabi told Al-Rai daily that the Islamic Republic considers the Strait of Hormuz “a key part of its defensive strategy,” further insisting that Tehran is keen on maintaining the strategic passageway “safe, secure and free from control of authoritarian powers.”

Shehabi recognized the Strait of Hormuz as “a strategic passageway to global trade,” and asserted that Iran aims to maintain stability that helps maintain mobility at the strait. While indicating that Iran doesn’t plan to block the strait, Shehabi reiterated that Iran “will defend its legitimate right if threatened.”

Regarding an embargo to be placed on Iranian oil sale, Shehabi urged Europe to “learn from the lessons of history,” explaining that previous sanctions imposed on Cuba and Iraq failed to achieve their goals.

The Iranian diplomat said that such plans would leave a harmful impact on all countries in the region. “The absence of Iran from the global oil market will create an imbalance that will lead to economic clashes that have dire consequences,” Shehabi warned.—Al-Rai

evaluate the environmental effects of Bushehr given the plant’s proximity to regional countries and its location along the coast. “This is long overdue reaction from the part of the GCC governments. They are playing politics on this issue, the outstanding questions is why only now?

We’ve been trying to reach out every government before but they haven’t done any,” he asserted.

Al-Hajery told Kuwait Times that by now, Kuwait and the GCC countries should be seeing result such as establishing GCC crisis management, however, even that simple coordination haven’t been done as yet. “They only care and take action when there is a clear disaster already or perhaps during the accident. In fact, the repor t which came out yesterday was reported by Greenline long time back. Years have passed, and no action was taken by any of the GCC governments. We have identified that GCC is a nuclear disaster zone, but we haven’t done any, we have done nothing to prepare our people or handle any nuclear disaster,” he reiterated. “This time, they should be discussing the solution not imitating or repeating the same call we have done before. Their job is to take the necessary action. We cannot solve the problem by talking and repeating the same words we have uttered before. I think it’s a reflection of how the GCC countries work and what is instore for us in the future,” he criticized. He said he had been calling the GCC to talk or address the nuclear issue in the Middle East and advised

the GCC governments to include the nuclear facilities of Iran, Iraq and Israel.

“Why to deal only with the nuclear facilities of Iran? Saudi Arabia is planning to operate more than a dozen nuclear facilities; the UAE have a plan, Kuwait has a plan but temporarily hold and back to zero, but again, there had been considerations. We continue to support renewable source of energy like the wind and solar energy,” he stressed. The report quoted exper ts as saying nuclear radiation from Bushehr could reach Kuwait within 15 hours at a wind speed of five meters per second.

The construction of Bushehr Nuclear Facility was started in 1975 by German companies, but the work was stopped in 1979 after the Islamic revolution of Iran. A contract for finishing the plant was signed between Iran and the Russian Ministry for Atomic Energy in 1995, with Russia’s Atomstroyexport named as the main contractor.

The work was delayed several years by technical and financial challenges as well as by political pressure from the West. After that construction was again in danger in 2007, a renewed agree ment was reached in which the Iranians promised to compensate for rising costs and inflation after completion of the plant. Delivery of nuclear fuel started the same year. The plant started adding electricity to the national grid on 3 September 2011, and was officially opened in a ceremony on Sept 12, attended by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and head of the Rosatom Sergei Kiriyenko.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

LOCAL In my view

kuwait digest

Is national unity facing a threat?

I dream of party politics

By Fouad Al-Obaid

By Muna Al-Fuzai

fouad@kuwaittimes.net Twitter: @Fouadalobaid

muna@kuwaittimes.net

W

hile writing this article, my mind is not yet set as to whether I should take part in the upcoming election and vote, or mark my abstention from a process that does not suit my vision of democracy. In the past, I have lauded our democratic experience - and it is to be noted that when compared to neighboring countries, Kuwait is the envy of many. And yet, when placing Kuwait’s democracy in a global perspective, many shortcomings appear , including the lack of formal political parties.

Those that can point out the dangers of such an idea and mention examples of countries that have developed party politics only to see their country degrade - I am thinking here of Egypt’s NDP or Iraq and Syria Baath. Positive examples to counter such claim exist in Europe, Asia and Latin America to name a few regions. Democracy in such countries is firmly established, and it would not be too great of a digression to concur that Kuwait though its many issues with democracy in the past, has established democratic credentials.

The aim of par ty politics would not be to strengthen social divisions, rather it would come as a blender, bringing people together based on ideological backgrounds - and most important, on political platform agendas. Such a step should come within the framework of a strong Parliament that is capable of passing new laws paving the way for the next elections to forward this agenda. It most certainly needs some constitutional amendments that would allow for a clearly defined Prime Minister post held by the leader of the party to emerge with the greatest number of votes. A unified government will not secure the required majority.

With the streamlining of such laws, a most crucial law needs to be passed - I hope in the upcoming Parliament - the breaking down of a centralized Municipality that would pave the way for the creation of a strong mayorship, tasked with all matters relevant to urbanization, construction and social cohesion. Mayors ought to be elected directly by suffrage, and local area election would come to form the Municipal Council that should be held for a period similar to that of Parliament (four years), but should be independent of the Parliament.

Last but certainly not least, a new national advisory council should be established based on merit criteria that serves as an authority to ensure the laws passed in Parliament and executive decisions decreed by the executive authority are in the best interest of the state. Such an advisory council should comprise of all the living ex-presidents of Parliament, ex-presidents of the Municipal assembly, ex-members of the Cabinet based on criteria to be decided at a later date.

The state of affairs today requires patriots both willing and able to push towards meaningful reform that would guard against sedition from within foreign aggression. We need to ferment and cement our society and help channel its energy towards the productive building of a vibrant nation fueled by a noble vision. Today, we need actions that will ensure the stability and prosperity of our country for the foreseeable future in light of the ever-changing regional realities.

May God Almighty protect and bless us all.

kuwait digest

More appreciation, less anticipation

By Nawaf Al-Arbash

A

very common approach in customer service techniques is to under promise and over achieve/provide.

Example: You’ve just bought your brand new exotic car and cannot wait to get hold of it. So you ask the salesperson to prepare it in two days, and he replies “I’m very sorry, it cannot be done in less than four days.” At that point you’d be very disappointed and probably feeling a bit blue, and if you were hungry your appetite would have been ruined.

Next day, the sun shining, and breeze sneaks from your open window, blowing on your closed eyelids whispering “wake up,” so you do. The moment you wake up your phone beeps bearing a new text message stating the following: Dear customer, your car is washed and ready to be picked up from our showroom. Please visit us to enjoy your vehicle before sunset.

At this point, your day has been made.

In the same borders as that technique; We should not build happiness on expectation. We should not paint hopes and dreams and believe that they are 100% inevitable, because nothing is 100% certain, and that is exactly how many people break down: Build high hopes, until the bulldozer of reality breaks them down.

Specialists use mathematical calculations to forecast financial and economical future events, but they can never anticipate the exact numbers, although they appreciate if the results were within the range (positive).

If we learn to appreciate what we have more, and expect less, everything we encounter, receive, or achieve will be “more.”

As many philanthropists, scholars, philosophers, and people of experience and wisdom agree: Less is more. And I as well agree, less IS more. — Al-Watan

R

in my view

Historical opportunity for Egyptian parties

By Dr Mohammed Hasanen, Assistant Professor, Political Science, GUST

O

n election night, it was enough to take a walk in downtown Cairo to notice that the situation in Egypt was puzzling. Existing security forces were not enough and the rule of law was neglected to the extent that made political observers and analysts expect a failure in the parliamentary election. Surprisingly, next day, Egypt witnessed a historical moment. Egyptians were waiting in long lines to elect their Parliament in a free and democratic environment for the first time in more than six decades.

After this successful election, Egypt is moving now toward drawing its future by framing a new Constitution to frame and structure its political system.

Two trends in the Egyptian society are expected to play a major role in this process: The Islamic par ties, which have won the majority in the Parliament, and the liberal par ties which are going to be the opposing side in the Parliament. Each one of them is trying to seize this historical opportunity that might not be available later on to draw the Egyptian political and social future based on its ideology and vision.

The liberal group includes several political parties from the middle and left wings. Some of these parties are new and have little political experience and popular suppor t. They have been established in a hurry after January’s revolution. Some consider Al-Wafd party as the leader of this group since it is the oldest liberal party in Egypt. Although liberal parties have different ideologies, they share the principle of the importance of the citizens’ political rights, civil liberties and social justice. These parties are adopting the ideology of a secular state and the idea of separating religion and politics.

The Islamic group includes all the Islamic parties such as AlNoor (Salafist) and Al-Wasat party. The Muslim Brotherhood, represented by their party Freedom and Justice, is the leader of this group. They all agree and focus on Islamizing the political, social and economic systems, and almost all are against secularism. Each group is trying to find a model that fits its basic vision to apply it in drawing the future political system in Egypt. The liberal group wishes to replicate the secular Turkish model. They do not hide their admiration of Turkey’s successful economic and political achievements.

They believe that there is a strong relationship between these achievements and secularism, hence, the starting point is to separate religion from politics It is worth noting that this idea is not accepted among average Egyptian citizens.

Traditionally, Egyptians have a unique and strong Islamic background. They refuse the concept of excluding religion from ruling principles of the state. Analysts

and commentators believe that focusing on this point has led liberals to lose the majority of vote in the parliamentary election. There are , of course, some other factors which have contributed to this result such as the lack of political experience , relying heavily on mass media to approach voters with leftist terms and ideologies most of the Egyptians are not familiar with and/or are even against them.

The Islamic parties refuse the idea of separating state from religion. It was not surprising to any observer that the Islamic parties have swept the majority of votes in the parliamentary election. They have better political experience and were in touch with the society for a long time.

Their services have been witnessed everywhere and their economic and social support has reached many people and specially the marginalized groups.

Their announced major goal is to create an Islamic political system.

Analyzing the situation in Egypt since February 2011, one can notice how the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) manipulated the transition period and directed the events to achieve its goals.

Although Muslim Brotherhood never mentioned its admiration of the Iranian Islamic system, all following steps and actions they have taken revealed that their ultimate goal is to create an Islamic system similar to some extent to the Iranian example but with Sunni references: First: It was clear that MB was sure of winning the majority in any free election, therefore, they supported and pressured the Military Council to conduct the parliamentary elections as soon as possible, even before laying down the new Constitution.

Second: MB has established the ‘Freedom and Justice’ political party as a political wing to their organization. MB argued that this party will be independent, yet all the party leaders are MB members. I t is true that some members are Christians and others with a secular outlook. This does not mean that the party will have a different ideology. The party’s platform and agenda are based on the basic principles of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Third: After January’s revolution, MB leaders have supported the parliamentary system to be applied in Egypt. This system gives the majority par ty the opportunity to form the government. The prime minister in the parliamentar y system is the most powerful actor.

This could explain why they announced that they will not nominate anyone for the coming presidential election. The system, however, was opposed by most political groups since Egypt has had a bad experience with it before 1952’s revolution.

MB is shifting to the new trend of having a mixed system similar

to the French political system which includes an elected prime minister and president, allowing them as the majority parties to involve in ruling Egypt. The worst scenario would be that the presidential system wins the agreement of the Egyptian political groups. In this case, MB will insist on having some of its members in any future government appointments. They are looking for ward to having at least Education, Health and Social Affairs ministries.

Since MB has achieved its first goal and has swept most of the seats in the new Parliament, it is obvious that the chance of applying the Turkish model is minimal. The road is open for MB to apply its model. The structure of the model will include two parallel wings — one is civil represented by an elected government and/or Parliament, and the other wing is the religious that is represented by the Guidance Office — the highest office in the MB hierarchy. The religious wing will work as a filter through which decisions and policies go if they are in agreement with the Islamic principles and according to their interpretations. Otherwise, they will be blocked. It is expected that the MB and or the Freedom and Justice party might deny this scenario. However, the Guidance Office members will have the upper hand in ruling Egypt while the MB controls the parliament.

An important word should be said here. Although the Turkish and Iranian systems are, or might be appropriate to Turkey and Iran, they are definitely not suitable for Egypt. It is completely different historically, geographically and socially. Importing pre made or copying other systems with artificial modifications will not work. All parties, social segments and experts should be given the opportunity to make up a new system. Political systems cannot not be cloned or imported. They are a domestic industr y and should not be adopted from Western models on the basis of being successful in their environment. Political systems are a product of the environment, like any herb that grows only in its natural environment.

It is true that it can be grown in greenhouses that provide a natural climate, but that does not guarantee its continuation and ability to grow. Moreover, one who studies the Western system can note that they are not identical. Each one of them is in tune with the historical, cultural and geographical background of peoples. German history, culture and geography, for example, produced a political system different from the French one. We are entitled to say the same thing about English and American rules although they are committed to the democratic approach.

epeated calls being made to foster national unity as part of election canvassing has become a topic of concern.

If such jingoistic calls are being made to protect someone’s interests and distract people from real threat, it could prove detrimental to the country. I doubt if it is their wish to serve their country! People keep discussing it all the time although no one realizes the repercussions involved..

Kuwait is a small country that is surrounded by many neighbors. Some have violated Kuwait’s honor like Iraq. Kuwait is now trying to maintain peace with the current regime by forgetting the past. There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. I think we should no longer be worried about an Iraqi threat because it has its own concerns about national unity.

Iran is another neighbor. I think it has its own objectives and ambitions. We have to consider the fact that Iran never invaded Kuwait. It has been threatening the entire region, in case it is attacked by external forces.

Why do I think this way? Any aggressive retaliation could put an end to all reform undertaken in the region . Iran’s national unity could be in real danger.

Kuwaitis could argue about many issues but we should not be fooled into believing that such heated arguments can strengthen national unity. I completely believe that some will never argue about the love they have for Kuwait. The truth is that our national unity will be jeopardized if brazen views are expressed against the existing system.

Satire Wire

Parents and technology

By Sawsan Kazak

sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

A

s much as I encourage parents to advance their knowledge in the technology field — to start using Facebook, iPads and smartphones, it has turned most kids into tech teachers against their will. Parents buy gadgets they can’t use and log on to websites they don’t understand, and then rely on their kids’ knowledge to guide them through.

Speaking on behalf of all ‘kids’ suffering with their parents’ tech tutorials, I would just like to say that we appreciate the efforts you are making, but would like to see some improvement on your behalf.

I’m all for teaching my parents how to What’s App their friends or download a new profile picture, but this should be used as a learning process and not as a personal tech service that is available to them at all times. Speaking to my friends and colleagues, I have come to realize that parents around the world have been driving their kids crazy trying to ‘learn’ these new technologies. Kids everywhere have had to answer questions about deleting files, downloading data and sound settings. And do you know how hard it is to describe a tech procedure over the phone ?

Yes, I understand that parents are from another generation, and that they have not grown up with such gadgets, but neither have we. I was not born knowing how to use a touch screen and they did not teach us in school how to tweet our thoughts. It seems as though some people from the older generations are intimidated to even try to learn on their own. They would rather ask and ask again before making a mistake. Parents have resigned to the thought that the new technologies are hard to learn and impossible to remember.

Speaking on behalf of all ‘kids’ suffering with their parents’ tech tutorials, I would just like to say that we appreciate the efforts you are making, but would like to see some improvement on your behalf.

Otherwise, it just seems as though we are the bad teachers that lose our cool, in reality, you are sometimes too scared to learn. These new gadgets or websites will not self-implode or crash if you try on your own and make a mistake. I’m not saying you need to learn how to launch your own websites or develop new apps, just maybe know how to turn your gadgets on and off without assistance is a start.

If you are a parent and find yourself asking the same question to your kids over and over again, maybe it’s not that they are bad teachers or lose their patience too fast, maybe they have noticed that you are not willing to improve your understanding. Parents everywhere, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, everything is fixable, simply read carefully and try to remember what happened in front of you last time; if your kids can do it, then so can you.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

local

Kuwait votes in elections hoping to end deadlock ‘Most crucial and most dangerous’

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. A briefing on the results of the economic development committee’s report was given by the Prime Minister during the meeting.

Residents complain against illegal parking ‘rent’ KUWAIT: Several Farwaniya residents complain against illegal practices carried out by building janitors who reportedly take monthly fees from tenants to park in places near their buildings.

According to a report published by Annahar yesterday, this issue can be found in several locations around Farwaniya, especially in block 6, where state-owned zones are divided into parking spaces that can only be used by renters for a fee they pay to their building janitor. The renters reportedly don’t have much choice when their rightful parking spaces are locked with steel chain that can only be opened by the janitors. Even if renters refuse to comply, the janitors will find residents of nearby building eager to get a free parking space in the crowded area regardless of the price.

“I pay KD10 each month to the janitor in addition to the KD5 for carwash in order to rent my own parking space”, said

renter Mohammad Mustafa, who explained that his building’s janitor always argues that all buildings in the neighborhood are doing the same. And while hoping to see an intervention from the Kuwait Municipality to stop what is technically considered an illegal use of state property, Mustafa noted that he had no other choice but to accept the janitor’s stipulation “when I found out that parking spaces are already running out as soon as he put them for rent”.

Another renter, identified as Ahmad Awad, says that he can’t park outside his building because all of the parking spaces are rented to other people; including one resident who lives in a nearby building. “One night I parked on that certain space, but the janitor warned me the next day that I could find my vehicle with flat tires should I do the same thing again”, Awad said. “[The janitor] flat-out told me to pay him KD10 so that he finds me a spot to park my car”.

KUWAIT: Kuwaitis head to the ballot box next month for the fourth time in six years in a crucial poll, hoping to end lingering political disputes and to put the oil-rich Gulf state’s economy back on track. The polls will be held against the backdrop of heightened sectarian tensions between the majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites, echoing regional conflicts, allegations of widespread corruption and non-stop crises since 2006.

The Feb 2 snap election was called after former premier Sheikh Nasser Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah and his cabinet were forced to resign in late November following massive popular protests led by youth activists and opposition MPs. Parliament was dissolved a week later.

Youth activists led by opposition MPs stormed the parliament building in midNovember after riot police prevented them from marching to the home of the ex-prime minister following allegations of corruption.

At least 13 ex-MPs were interrogated by the public prosecutor over a corruption scandal and the opposition claimed that Sheikh Nasser transferred millions of dollars of public funds into his bank accounts abroad.

“The 2012 elections are the most crucial and the most dangerous in Kuwait’s history,” veteran opposition leader and former threetime speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun told an election rally last week.

“The next National Assembly is the most important in Kuwait’s political history ...

Everyone is waiting to see the MPs whom they hope will rescue Kuwait from further deterioration,” independent candidate Mubarak Al-Harees said.

Thirty-eight of the original 50 members of the dissolved parliament, in addition to 17 former MPs and ministers, are among 330 candidates contesting the election.

Twenty-four female candidates are running, including four who made history by becoming the first Kuwaiti women to win parliamentary seats in 2009. Women make up about 54 percent of Kuwait’s 400,000 voters. Candidates from various political affiliations in this oil-rich emirate have set up hundreds of fancy tents where they stage election campaigns at night followed by buffet dinners. The issue of corruption has dominated the campaign trail, while calls for fundamental political reforms, the independence of the judiciary and reviving the sagging economy are also prominent.

Despite massive wealth, development in Kuwait has come to a near total standstill due to non-stop political crises between the opposition and the government, forcing the cabinet to resign seven times in just over five years.

Youth activists are also playing an important role in the election campaign, siding with the opposition. They have launched their own reform plan known as “Kuwait charter 2012” and have invited candidates to participate in debates.

Political parties are illegal in Kuwait, but many groupings are operating freely and some have fielded candidates.

The main battle appears to be between the opposition, a loose formation of Islamist, liberal, nationalist and independent candidates on the one hand and candidates who have been loyal to the former government and premier on the other.

“It is a battle raging between the forces of reform and those of corruption,” declared Salafi Islamist candidate and ex-MP Khaled Al-Sultan.

At stake is control over the 50-member parliament. The cabinet is appointed by His Highness the Amir from the ruling Al-Sabah family, whose members also occupy the premiership and key ministerial posts.

Prominent Shiite candidate and ex-MP Hussein Al-Qallaf, an ally of the former premier, however charged that the opposition wants to share power with the ruling family and that they will lead Kuwait into a state of chaos. No one has ever challenged the ruling family, in power for over 250 years, but political groups and candidates are increasingly pressing for deep democratic reforms, including demands for a constitutional monarchy.

The opposition is optimistic it will increase its parliamentary seats from 18 to at least 25, with Sunni Islamists forming the main bloc, in a bid to control a house with legislative and monitoring powers. — AFP

KUWAIT: The municipality inspection in progress.

‘Tainted equipment spread Hepatitis B,C’

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The use of shaving tools tainted with blood, may infect a healthy person with diseases like Hepatitis B and C, Mubarak Bashir , Director of Inspections and Municipality Services Follow Up Department at Hawally Municipality said.

Inspectors intensified have raids on men KUWAIT: Envoy of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah left for the UAE yesterday. Sheikh Ali’s visit is to convey greeting of HH the Amir to member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammad Al-Qasimi on the occasion of his safe return after having treatment overseas.

Govt may bow to legal staff demands KUWAIT: The government seeks to devise radical solutions to end the financial troubles of legal staff members employed in fifty two state departments , subsequently ending the months long strike, said Ahmad Al-Kandari Media Coordinator of the labor union representing legal staff members in state departments in statements made to Al-Jarida daily.

“Chairman of the Civil Service Council, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid Al-Sabah, promised during a recent meeting with union representatives to find radical solutions that end the suffering of legal staff members,” Al-Kandari said.

According to Al-Kandari, Al-Sabah has promised to adjust designations of legal staff members in all state departments to match those of legal staff from the Fatwa and Legislation Department, the Kuwait Municipality and the Criminal Investigations Department. These job titles entitle

their holders to special financial privileges that other employees don’t enjoy.

Meanwhile, Al-Kandari warned that legal staff will continue to stage strikes should the government fail to fulfill their demands, reported AlJarida.

In other news, the Ministr y of Information’s labor union reportedly threatened to hold mass strike on February 2, if the government fails to meet financial demands. The union’s head Yassine Al-Farisi explained statement that this date was chosen because a strike then would mean that the state TV will not be able to cover election day events.

Information Ministr y Undersecretary Sheikh Salman AlHmoud was reportedly approached to comment on the subject. He only expressed faith that the Cabinet would resolve the issue as soon as possible, reported Annahar.

and women’s salons and health clubs, resulting in the issuance of 120 citations against the salons and workers who failed to obtain health certificates or were in possession of expired ones. At least ten health clubs and women’s salons were closed down in December for failing to comply with health conditions.

He added that an agreement has been

Demonstrations of bedoons on hold KUWAIT: Stateless residents in Kuwait reportedly agreed to suspend weekly demonstrations in Jahra until after the new Cabinet is formed following the upcoming parliamentary elections. Instead, the gatherings are to be replaced with public seminars featuring participation of human right activists to shed light on bedoons’ suffering. “Several youth groups including the ‘Kuwaiti Bedoons Assembly’ agreed during recent discussions to suspend demonstrations in Taima and instead explain the living conditions of bedoons through seminars attended by human right activists”, said sources quoted in an Al-Rai report published yesterday.

Moreover, the groups reportedly discussed the possibility of requesting to meet Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah “in order to complain about police use of force against peaceful demonstrators, and call for an end to the security siege imposed on Taima”.

Last Friday, heavy police presence was seen in Taima and Sulaibiya since early in the morning as a preemptive measure despite the fact that stateless residents opted against going out for mass protest following a week in which police used water cannons and smoke bombs to disperse a gathering of hundreds of bedoons, some of whom were put under arrest for illegal gathering. The sources also hinted that the youth groups are considering legal actions against the interior ministry, but such procedure hinges on results of the meeting with the minister.

Meanwhile, other sources are quoted in the same report as saying that files of up to 150 stateless residents will be referred to the Cabinet next month to approve for naturalization. These files pertain with children of Kuwaiti widows and divorced women, which according to the report amount to 900 cases registered in official state documents.

reached in coordination with Municipality and health ministry to only allow the use of medical equipment after workers receive health ministry licenses, with health certificates proving that they are free from infectious diseases.

He urged citizens and expats to contact the following telephone numbers in case they feel unhygienic equipment are being used at facilities : 25748341, 25717337, 25748340.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

local

Opinion polls helpful in election process KUWAIT: Surveying and studying the public opinion is quite crucial for decision-makers in advanced nations and constitute a vital factor for supporting democracy and guiding the politician as well as facilitating flow of information between decision-makers and masses.

Locally, citizens’ opinion regarding necessity and effectiveness of mechanisms and polling methods for measuring and studying the public opinion vary; with some arguing that Kuwait, being a small country with a small population, does not need opinion polling centers and establishments but others affirming necessity of pondering the views of the public, although this process may not be commonly rooted in the political experience of the Kuwaitis in particular and the Arabs in general.

Salah Al-Jassim, owner of an establishment for computer systems, said his foundation conducted the first electoral public opinion polling ahead of the 1996 elections. Since then, the establishment has been carrying out such surveys to examine peoples’ political orientations and trends.

In general, the Arab region lacks such polling centers due to some repressive ruling regimes and widespread negligence of the importance of opinion polls for promotion and studies. However, the Kuwaiti society, is generally ready to be involved in such processes, for the citizens enjoy substantial freedoms of expression, as compared to other Arab countries where such liberties are restrained or limited.

Salah Al-Jassim Computer Systems Establishment conducts regular opinion polls in response to requests by MPs who pay the establishment to measure impact of their stances among the voters.

The establishment plans to post results of polling for the 2012 National Assembly elections on its internet website on the 31st of this month.

Opinion polls in Kuwait is generally simple, compared to great nations, for the number of voters in the constituencies is low, thus the establishment selects small samples for polling, and that can be through the telephone. Dr Abdullah Sahar, a professor of political sciences at Kuwait University, indicated at the public unawareness of the necessity of opinion

polls and desire of many citizens to abstain from expressing their views freely particularly on sensitive issues, in addition to certain legal problems.

He cautions that some polling centers may be politicized, thus their work lacks credibility and may be biased.

Suliman Al-Subai’ee, in charge of studies at the secretariat-general of the National Assembly, said the opinion polls process must be based on objectivity, transparency and truthfulness.

The NA department of statistics studies and analyzes polls, conducted by the secretariat-general. Currently, the department is carrying out a polling for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Results of elections can be initially predicted by examining results of the opinion polls, he indicated, noting that such centers mushroomed in advanced nations due to wide-spread electronic and technological knowledge and presence of a large number of media organizations.

Kuwaiti youth are particularly cooperative when called to help or contribute in holding a polling process, he said, “because they are the most open-minded segment of the society and aware of the necessity of such a process.”

Nassar Al-Khaldi, Chairman at Measurement for Political Services Group, said the group started working in 2003 and that he had travelled to the United States to enrich his experience in this domain, noting that he held connections with top public opinion polling establishments, namely Gallup and Ebsos.

Al-Khaldi indicated that his group measures opinions of both voters and nominees. But he also noted that response to the group efforts for polling is in the 10 percent range, also noting that it favors telephone polling due to the desire of majority of the polled citizens and low cost, as compared to field polling. Regarding his opinion on electronic public opinion polling, Al-Khaldi said such processes are generally guided, non-professional and lack basic standing rules. He urged the relevant authorities to help his establishment to have easy and free access to the citizens’ mobile telephone numbers to facilitate the staff tasks.— KUNA

Trio arrested in Salmiya for indecent exposure Body of youth found in apartment KUWAIT: Three women were recently arrested from a Salmiya cafe where they created a scene with their indecent attire. Investigations revealed that the women were promiscuous and consumed alcohol. The women were reportedly sitting at the cafe in a mall wearing see-through abayas. This caught attention of other people at the cafe. One concerned mother immediately informed police, who reached the location shortly. They arrested the women although they refused to cooperate initially. They were referred to Rumaithiya police station. Two of them were sisters who came to Kuwait from a GCC country, while the other was a citizen. The three admitted to spending the previous night in an apartment where they engaged in immoral activities in a drunken stupor. When police contacted the two sisters’ father, he refused to come to Kuwait saying that he was too busy with business related issues. The women remain in the custody of Criminal Investigations General Department.

Mysterious death Investigations are currently ongoing to reveal the mystery behind the death of a young citizen whose body was found in an apartment. Police officers accompanied by paramedics and crime scene investigators headed to the location in Salmiya after a man informed that he found a friend’s body in his apartment. The man explained that he went over to meet his friend two hours after a phone conversation. He added that the door was left ajar, and he entered after his friend failed to answer the door, only to find his motionless body lying on the floor. After para-

medics pronounced him dead, the body was removed for an autopsy to determine the cause and time of death. The news report which quotes a security source did not specify whether evidence of foul play was found.

Illegitimate child A woman was arrested after she tried to escape from the Maternity Hospital after she gave birth to an illegitimate offspring. Medical staff called police after they prevented the Asian woman from leaving her newborn. She tried to escape shortly after failing to issue a marriage certificate. During investigations, the woman admitted to being unmarried and being in a relationship with a compatriot she met at a baqala (small grocery store) near her place of residence. The new mother remains in custody pending further action while a search is currently ongoing for her lover.

Girl flees Police are on the hunt for a girl in her twenties who fled from her family home in Ahmadi following a dispute with her father. The girl reportedly rejected her father’s decision to accept her cousin’s marriage proposal.

Infuriated at her defiance, the man beat his daughter up. She ran away from home the following morning, and was reported missing after attempts to contact her on a mobile phone was unsuccessful.

Forgery case Investigators from the General Migration Department reportedly arrested three employees from a local security company involved in committing a major fraud. The

three Egyptian men were reportedly detained after weeks of monitoring, during which detectives confirmed that they used stolen stamps from the Municipality offices to forge medical clearance documents necessary to issue work permit. Investigations revealed that the three would target offices they left temporarily, quickly stealing stamps and using them. The suspects admitted that they forged nearly 100 transactions, giving KD 300 to accomplices who mostly work in restaurants.

Volunteer attacked A volunteer from the election camp of third constituency candidate Mohammad AlJuwaihel pressed attempted murder charges against assailants who reportedly attempted to run him over with their car. The victim told police that the three suspects attacked him while he was making his way out of the camp and drove away with a car that carried no license plate, in an attempt to run over him in the process. Police are investigating if the incident was politically motivated.

Suicide attempt A woman was hospitalized after she tried to end her life upon learning that her boyfriend cheated on her. Police and paramedics rushed to the location in response to a Filipino man’s emergency call stating that his girlfriend had overdosed on medications. She was rushed in an ambulance to the Mubarak Hospital. After her condition stabilized, she told police that she attempted suicide after learning about her boyfriend’s philandering ways. —Al-Rai, Al-Watan, Al-Qabas

Al-Babtain Foundation honors two poets KUWAIT: The Foundation of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain’s Prize for Poetic Creativity is calling the fifth session of the “Arab Poetry Spring Festival” after the eminent Kuwaiti poet Abdullah Zak aria Al-Ansari and the Tunisian poet Muhi- eddine

Kharif.

The foundation secretariatgeneral said in a statement issued on Sunday that it had chosen the two poets for their noticeable contributions in the cultural sector, namely their role in reviving the contemporary

poetic movement.

Al-Ansari (1922-2006) studied at his father ’s school, at AlMubarkia school, ser ved as a teacher, an accountant, a diplomat at the Kuwaiti embassy in Cairo, and the head of the press and culture department of the

Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry.

The Tunisian poet memorized the Holy Quran, ser ved as a teacher and composed poetry books. He had earned several awards including Al-Babtain’s award in 1992. The poetry festival is due in March. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Sheikh Nimr Al-Malik Al-Sabah cuts the ribbon to officially open the 2012 HORECA Kuwait exhibition yesterday at the Arraya Ballroom - Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

(Right) Culinary judges and organizers of the event pose in front of the chocolate creations. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

2012 HORECA exhibition inaugurated

By Sawsan Kazak KUWAIT: The 2012 HORECA Kuwait exhibition for hospitality and food industry was inaugurated yesterday at the Arraya Ballroom - Courtyard Marriott Hotel, under the patronage of Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Sheikh Nimr Al-Malik Al-Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Commerce attended on behalf of Minister of Commerce and Industry, State Minister of Planning and Development, Dr Amani Buresli. Dr Ghassan Al-Aeidi, President of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), as well as Dr Bassam Al-Numani Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait and Jumah Al-Abadi Jordanian Ambassador to Kuwait made their presence felt. The

exhibition is a comprehensive event organized by the Leaders Group for Consulting and Development in cooperation with Hospitality Services of Lebanon, and covers the hospitality, catering and food industry sectors in Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The inauguration was attended by directors of more than 40 leading companies in hospitality and catering fields that will take part in the three-day event.

Several activities are set to take place during the three-day exhibition, including daily cooking competitions featuring 90 chefs from top restaurants and hotels, as well as the first ever Kuwait Barista Competition. “The HORECA Kuwait exhibition offers a platform for showcasing opportunities that meet

increasing demand in Kuwait’s tourism sector business, in order to help this sector live up to its future challenges,” said the Leaders Group in an earlier statement. “The hospitality industry is a very important one in Kuwait, and covers many aspects from food to furnishings; which are all represented here in the HORECA exhibition,” says General Manager of the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, Mohammad Najia.

“This year, the exhibition includes an exciting culinary competition which will be judged by four international judges and one local one; so five in total. Also, at the exhibition, there will be live cooking demonstrations and competitions ranging from sandwich making to cake decorating and coffee making,” adds Najia. Najia believes the exhibition is a great opportu-

nity for companies in the hospitality industry to mingle and showcase their services to others. “The companies participating in this exhibition are world renowned and hopefully HORECA will allow them to display their services,” Najia said of the hospitality event. “This is the first time we are participating in the event and it looks promising,” said Ahmad Serafi, Hotel Manager of Crowne Plaza Kuwait. Serafi believes the HORECA exhibition is the perfect location to heighten brand awareness. “We have five brands of restaurants, the most famous brands in Kuwait. We will try to franchise the brands if people are interested. This is the perfect venue to exhibit our restaurants and hopefully expand them and increase our brands,” said Serafi.

KUWAIT: Representatives of various booths participating in the exhibition pose for a group photograph.

KUWAIT: Crowne Plaza representatives at their booth.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

Mubarak is still president, defense lawyer tells court

Arab committee wants extended Syria mission Page 8

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Gingrich trounces Romney Romney set to release his tax returns COLUMBIA: Republican presidential hopeful former Speaker Newt Gingrich waves to the crowd after acknowledging his South Carolina Republican Primary win with his wife Callista at his side at election night headquarters January 21, 2012, at the Hilton Hotel. —AP

COLUMBIA: Newt Gingrich trounced Mitt Romney in South Carolina’s Republican presidential primary, upending the battle to challenge President Barack Obama in November and reviving a campaign that has twice been near collapse.

Gingrich, the fiery former speaker of the House of Representatives, handily undid the notion that Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, would coast to a victory in the first Southern primary and become the prohibitive favorite for the Republican nomination.

So far three Republicans have each won one contest in the early going: former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum squeaked out a victory over Romney in the leadoff Iowa caucuses. Romney then rebounded to handily win in New Hampshire and was building a sense of inevitability around his campaign heading into South Carolina.

But Gingrich turned in perhaps his best of many good debate showings Thursday night, turning the race around in South Carolina and winning by a 41 to 27 percent margin over, who was considered until now as the candidate most likely to deny Obama a second White House term. The president, while still popular personally, is battling weak approval ratings for his leadership in pulling the US economy out of the ravages of the 2007-2009 Great Recession. About 8.5 percent of American workers remain unemployed, millions have lost homes to mortgage foreclosures and the overall economy, while improving in recent months, remains wobbly.

Gingrich said on CNN yesterday that his hardline conservative views and sharp debating skills are needed if the Republicans are to take back the White House. He dismissed Romney as a moderate whose record on health care and other issues are too close to Obama’s and will not invigorate party voters. In a telling development yesterday, Romney told Fox News that he will release his tax 2010 tax returns and 2011 tax estimates tomorrow and said it was a mistake for his presidential campaign to hold off as long as it did in getting them out.

He says the attention paid to the issue had become a distraction for his campaign and he’s acknowledging it wasn’t the best of weeks for him.

Romney has run his campaign under the banner of his success as a venture capitalist and as a Washington outsider. He remains the favorite of the Republican establishment, but his wealth, moderate past positions on social issues like abortion and gay rights and patrician bearing do not play well in an increasingly conservative party. That was particularly evident in South Carolina, one of the most conservative US states.

Next up in the long season of primaries and caucuses in all 50 states is the contest in Florida. Voters in the battle ground state mark primary ballots on Jan 31.—AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Saudi urges pressure on Syria, withdraws monitors Arab League, UN Security Council split on Syria

BENGHAZI: A file photo shows Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of the Libyan National Transitional Council, addressing a press conference. — AFP

Libyan NTC head quits after protests BENGHAZI: The deputy head of Libya’s National Transitional Council resigned yesterday after angry protests, as the ruling body faced its first serious challenge since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. The NTC also postponed the adoption of the new election law to January 28 after it met at a secret location following attacks on Saturday on its offices in Benghazi, the eastern city which first rose up against Gaddafi last year.

NTC deputy head Abdel Hafiz Ghoga told AFP he had resigned from his post, as thousands of students demonstrated yesterday against him in Benghazi’s University of Ghar Yunis where he was manhandled three days ago. “My resignation shows that the NTC is a tribune for fighting for a cause and not a governing body. We are not looking for posts,” Ghoga said, adding that his decision was in the “best interests of Libya.”

He said “since the end of the war of liberation an air of hatred had began to dominate which does not serve national interest.”

“To prove that we are with the interest (of Libya) and that we are a movement of struggle, we decided to give way to other patriots....the important thing is to preserve the NTC... we do not want our country sliding into chaos.” He told Al-Jazeera television that his decision comes after “recent events,” a reference to protests in Benghazi where protesters chanted slogans against him and opposed his presence in the council.

Ghoga, who served as official spokesman for the NTC, had come under increasing opposition from Benghazi residents who accuse him of opportunism

because of his belated defection from the Kadhafi regime. He was mobbed by students on Thursday and had to flee the Ghar Yunis university after a tirade of abuse from the angry crowd. Yesterday he was again the target of about 4,000 students who chanted anti-Ghoga slogans at the university and condemned the arrest of 11 of their colleagues for allegedly manhandling him on Thursday.

The NTC has also faced the fury of angry Benghazi residents for what they say is a “non-transparent” body, marginalising injured former rebels who fought Gaddafi and choosing members who were previously loyal to the slain dictator. The NTC staunchly backed Ghoga after Thursday’s incident, saying that “every attack or aggression against the National Transitional Council represents an attack on the sovereignty of the Libyan people and its glorious revolution.”

Ghoga represented the “highest legitimate authority” until the election of a constitutional assembly in June, an NTC statement said on Thursday. But on Saturday the NTC, which spearheaded the revolt against Gaddafi and took full control of the country after his death, itself became the target of protesters when several home -made bombs were thrown at its Benghazi offices.

Protesters armed with stones and iron bars hurled the grenades and also stormed into the building before setting its front ablaze, witnesses and council members told AFP. They threw plastic bottles at NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who is respected across Libya for his active role in the anti-Gaddafi rebellion. He had to be escorted out of the premises. — AFP

178 killed in Kano attacks KANO: More than 178 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks by a radical Islamist sect in north Nigeria’s largest city, according to an internal Red Cross document seen yesterday by an Associated Press reporter. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan also arrived in Kano yesterday afternoon to pay his condolences, as military helicopters flew overhead. A spokesman at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano, the city’s largest hospital, declined to immediately comment yesterday on the latest count. But the toll of the attacks could be seen all around.

Armed police drove by the hospital in a pickup truck with a corpse wrapped in a white burial shroud. Children outside the hospital sold surgical masks. Once used only for the heavy dust in this sprawling city, the masks are now being used by responders going into the hospital’s overflowing mortuary. Soldiers in bulletproof vests carrying assault rifles with bayonets stood guard at roundabouts in areas where the sect had attacked. At the regional police headquarters in Kano, which sustained particularly heavy damage, soldiers refused access to AP reporters.

Friday’s attacks by Boko Haram hit police stations, immigration offices and the local headquarters of Nigeria’s secret police in Kano, a city of more than 9 million people that remains an important political and religious center in the country’s Muslim north.

The coordinated attacks represent the extremist group’s deadliest assault since beginning its campaign of terror in Africa’s most populous nation. UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon condemned the multiple attacks, according to a statement.

“The Secretary-General is appalled at the frequency and intensity of recent attacks in Nigeria, which demonstrate a wanton and unacceptable disregard for human life,” the statement said. Ban also expressed “his hope for swift and transparent investigations into these incidents that lead to bringing the perpetrators to justice,” according to the statement. A Boko Haram spokesman using the nom de guerre Abul-Qaqa claimed responsibility for the attacks in a message to journalists Friday. He said the attack came because the state government refused to release Boko Haram members held by the police.

President Goodluck Jonathan also condemned the attacks. But Jonathan’s government has repeatedly been unable to stop attacks by Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in the Hausa language of Nigeria’s north. The group has carried out increasingly sophisti-

cated and bloody attacks in its campaign to implement strict Shariah law and avenge the deaths of Muslims in communal violence across Nigeria, a multiethnic nation of more than 160 million people.

Authorities blamed Boko Haram for at least 510 killings last year alone, according to an AP count, including an August suicide bombing on the UN headquarters in the country’s capital Abuja. So far this year, the group has been blamed for at least 219 killings, according to an AP count. Boko Haram recently said it specifically would target Christians living in Nigeria’s north, but Friday’s attack saw its gunmen kill many Muslims. In a recent video posted to the Internet, Imam Abubakar Shekau, a Boko Harm leader, warned it would kill anyone who “betrays the religion” by being part of or sympathizing with Nigeria’s government.

Also yesterday, police say 11 people were killed in an attack in Nigeria’s north state of Bauchi. Bauchi state police commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba said the attack happened overnight. He said the 11 dead included civilians, police and army personnel who were running a checkpoint. Aduba said at least two churches were also attacked in a separate incident in the state. He did not immediately name who was responsible for the attacks. Bauchi is also a region where Boko Haram has staged attacks before. It is nearly 200 miles (320 kilometers) from Kano. — AP

KANO: A victim of Friday’s bomb blast and gun attacks lies in Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital. — AP

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia said yesterday it was withdrawing its observers from Syria after an Arab monitoring mission failed to end 10 months of bloodshed, and called on the international community to exert “all possible pressure” on Damascus.

Hundreds of Syrians have been killed since the observers began their work in late December and political opponents of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad are demanding the Arab League refer the crisis to the United Nations Security Council.

Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby recommended to Arab foreign ministers yesterday that a monitoring mission to Syria be extended, expanded and get more technical support. The Saudi comments suggest, however, that the extension of a mission Syria’s opposition has described as toothless will not be enough to satisfy everyone in the 22-member body and exposed a growing rift over the best way to approach the crisis that has shown little sign of easing after months of political pressure.

“My country will withdraw its monitors because the Syrian government did not execute any of the elements of the Arab resolution plan,” Prince Saud Al-Faisal told Arab foreign ministers at a closed door meeting in Cairo. The statement was obtained by Reuters after he spoke. “We are calling on the international community to bear its responsibility, and that includes our brothers in Islamic states and our friends in Russia, China, Europe and the United States,” Prince Saud said, calling for “all possible pressure” to push Syria to adhere to the Arab peace plan.

Saudi Arabia, the region’s political and economic powerhouse, exerts enormous influence over other Gulf countries which tend to fall in line with its policies. Arab diplomatic sources have said in recent weeks, however, that Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are increasingly reluctant to step up pressure on Syria when they are facing protests at home. Qatar, which has led calls for escalation against Syria, said it was time to review the whole mission and consider dispatching Arab peacekeeping troops to quell the violence that United Nations says has killed more than 5,000 people. Syria says

CAIRO: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal (center) arrives at the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting yesterday.— AFP 2,000 security personnel have been killed in the violence.

“The reality says that the bloodshed has not stopped and the killing machine is still working and violence is spread everywhere,” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani said in a statement. “What is needed now is a full review of the work of this mission and a look into what results it achieved and if those results are convincing enough to continue or if the realities call for other options and one other option is .... to send Arab peacekeeping forces.” Qatar and Saudi Arabia, regional rivals of Syria and its ally Iran, are impatient for decisive action against Assad but military action against Assad would need unanimous backing and several states prefer a negotiated solution, League sources say.

The Security Council is also split on how to address the crisis, with Western powers demanding tougher sanctions and a weapons embargo, and Assad’s ally Russia preferring to leave the Arabs to negotiate a peaceful outcome.

Suggestions to send in UN experts to support the Arab observers made little headway at the last meeting earlier this month and

Damascus has said it would accept an extension of the observer mission but not an expansion in its scope.

Arabs divided The lack of a unified Arab response will frustrate Syria’s opposition which has demanded that Arab countries clearly state Assad’s failure to adhere to its peace plan, withdraw monitors and hand the file to the UN Security Council. Arab states are divided over how to handle the crisis in Syria and critics say the monitoring mission is handing Assad more time to kill opponents of his rule. But Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia told Elaraby, they would oppose such a move, a League source said yesterday. “The three states support solving the Syrian crisis inside the Arab League,” the source told Reuters. Others worry that weakening Assad could tip Syria, with its potent mix of religious and ethnic allegiances, into a deeper conflict that would destabilise the entire region. Some may fear the threat from their own populations if he were toppled.

Funeral procession Two Syrian army officers, an

infantryman, a rebel and two civilians died in clashes yesterday in Talfita, a village in the Damascus region, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Intermittent fighting continued in the town of Douma, nine miles (14 km) northwest of the capital, which had been encircled by the military, said the UK-based rights group. An opposition activist and a rebel fighter in Douma told Reuters by telephone the fighting had eased and the rebels held about two thirds of its main streets.

Masked fighters had set up checkpoints and a funeral procession for five civilians killed on Saturday was passing through the town, they said. Angry cries could be heard in the background as they spoke.

The rebel fighter said there were several casualties yesterday but no confirmed deaths. Syrian forces opened fire on a car near the mountainous north Lebanese border town of Wadi Khaled, leading to an exchange of fire between the passengers and the Syrians, a Lebanese security source said.

Residents later said they found a Syrian man wounded by landmines placed on border.— Reuters

UN envoy urges Iraqi bloc to ‘fight in parliament’

CAIRO: In this Saturday, January 21, 2012 photo, former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is wheeled into a court house. — AP

Mubarak is still president, defense lawyer tells court CAIRO: Hosni Mubarak is still the president of Egypt and the court trying him has no legal jurisdiction to do so, his defense lawyer said yesterday, trying to undermine the prosecution’s case against the leader deposed in a popular revolt last year. Lawyer Farid el-Deeb was defending Mubarak for the fifth and final day of his closing remarks in a trial that Egyptians who rose up against Mubarak’s 30-year-rule hope will bring justice. The prosecution is seeking the death sentence on a charge that Mubarak was involved in the killing of some 850 protesters in the uprising.

Mubarak’s defense has denied those charges and attacked the prosecution’s case on other charges of corruption and abuse of power. Many Egyptians who want to see Mubarak held to account worry the case is not as strong as it should be. A light sentence or an acquittal may fuel more rage and is likely to lead to street protests. Activists are calling for mass demonstrations on Jan. 25, the anniversary of the uprising. “Is Hosni Mubarak still the president? I say yes. In accordance with the constitution, he is still the president until this day,” Deeb said to applause and chants of “God is Greatest” among the defense team.

“We have a clear constitutional article that stipulates that the president of the state is to be tried by a special court.”

Citing texts from the 1971 constitution, Deeb said the president can only be

referred to trial by two-thirds of parliament and that only a special tribunal can try him. “Any law that contradicts that article is over-ruled,” Deeb said, as the security officers who filled up the court room, looked at each other in amusement and shock.

Mubarak’s defense told the court, as plaintiffs interrupted with verbal objections and others walked out, that Mubarak did not step down from office in accordance with the constitution. He would have had to send a written resignation to parliament. Instead, his deputy read out a televised statement in which he avoided the word “resignation” and said Mubarak was “handing power” to the Supreme Military Council, a group of army generals who have ruled Egypt since Feb. 11. “There is no such thing as a president of a state resigning just by informing his vice president,” Deeb said, raising the pitch of his voice and flaring his arms in the direction of the cage where Mubarak and other defendants were. Some of the lawyers representing about 850 protesters killed during the uprising yelled “this is a revolution!”.

“Based on this fact, all the investigations and the referral to court is void and this court is not entitled to hear this case,” Deeb said. “I call for a verdict in which this court says it is not entitled to hear the case,” he added, calling for a preliminary innocent verdict to release the defendants.— Reuters

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s main Sunni-backed bloc should help resolve the country’s political crisis within parliament rather than stage a boycott, the UN’s envoy to Baghdad told AFP yesterday.

His remarks came more than a month after a row broke out between the Shiite-led government and ex-premier Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc after authorities charged Vice President Tareq AlHashemi, a Sunni and Iraqiya member, with running a death squad. “The government should work, the parliament should work,” Martin Kobler said in an interview. “There is a separation of power in this country.”

“I do not think that boycott is a good idea.

People have to sit together and they have to fight their political differences in the parliament, on the basis of the constitution.” He continued: “That is the place, parliament is the place where political disputes have to be solved.” Last month, Iraqiya began a boycott of parliament and cabinet to protest what it charged was Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s centralisation of power, and has since called for Maliki to respect a power-sharing deal or quit.

Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Hashemi while Maliki, a Shiite, has said his Sunni deputy Saleh Al-Mutlak should be sacked after the latter said the premier was “worse than Saddam Hussein”. Hashemi, who denies the charges, has been holed up in the autonomous Kurdish region since the crisis flared and Kurdish officials have so far declined to hand him over to Baghdad. The flareup came just as US troops were completing their withdrawal.

The United Nations and United States have urged calm and called for dialogue, but oftmooted talks involving all of Iraq’s leaders have yet to take place. “The current political stalemate has to end,” Kobler said. “We are concerned about a political stalemate, because the countr y deserves better. It is a rich country with a still poor population, and political problems should not hinder economic progress.”

The crisis has also stoked sectarian tensions and violence in the past month has killed more than 200 people, according to an AFP tally. The Sunni-backed Iraqiya, which holds 82 seats in the 325-member parliament, has so far held back from pulling out its nine ministers from the national unity government. The bloc won the most seats in March 2010 elections but was outmanoeuvred by Maliki’s alliance, which eventually formed the government after a prolonged impasse was finally broken in November of that year. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Communist past catches up with Bulgaria’s Church SOFIA: The ghost of communism has resurfaced in Bulgaria, with 11 of the country’s 15 top bishops exposed as former secret police agents, shaking the Church and its image just as it readies to choose a new patriarch. A list published by the parliamentary archives committee on Tuesday singled out 97-year-old Patriarch Maxim and three other bishops as the only members of the Church’s top authority, the Holy Synod, not to have collaborated. The other 11 were listed by the committee as agents of the most notorious part of the feared Darzhavna Sigurnost-the political police which spied on people for suspected “anti-communist behavior.”

The archives law does not entail any legal consequences for the former agents, but Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was quick to declare himself “shocked”. A handful of ordinary priests from southwestern Bulgaria meanwhile slammed their leaders in a declaration Friday, as “apostates” who had opened “a festering wound in the Church” and

urged them to resign. For Kalin Yanakiev, a philosophy professor at Sofia University and editor-inchief of the religious magazine Christianity and Culture, the Church was a victim of Darzhavna Sigurnost, which “picked up, nurtured, promoted and appointed the bishops.”

“Bishops are for life. They cannot resign,” he told Bulgarian national television. But he urged the clerics to repent. Theologist Nikolay Mihaylov echoed the view. “It is inadmissible how they agreed to collaborate in full consciousness that they were in the Church to ruin it,” Mihaylov fumed in a television debate on the subject. For both analysts, the committee’s list of bishops who collaborated may not even be complete.

Many in Bulgaria were surprised for instance that the patriarch, who was appointed in 1971 under communism, was not on the list. “It’s up to the Holy Synod to decide what to do. But I am certain that if they repent, people will give them absolution,” Emil Velinov, head of a special govern-

ment department dealing with religious issues, told national radio. The Holy Synod has so far kept mum but the patriarch promised to come up with a statement soon.

The Synod tried to prevent the committee from publishing its revelations, fearing they would open a rift in the Church and predetermine the successor after Maxim’s death. “A new schism grows in the Synod,” “The Church is splitting again,” newspaper headlines read last week. In the 1990s, many priests challenged the validity of Maxim’s enthronement under communism and elected an alternative patriarch, creating a bitter rift in the Church.

Fist fights erupted among rival groups of priests in many churches as each tried to evict the other.

The death of alternative patriarch Pimen in 1999, followed by Maxim’s recognition by former premier Simeon Saxe Coburg settled the issue but failed to heal believers’ tainted views of their Church leaders. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, to

which 80 percent of the country’s population of 7.4 million belongs, has been losing its appeal, an MBMD institute poll showed this month. Even if 70 percent of all Bulgarians declared themselves as religious, only 10 percent saw church-going as key to supporting their faith, the poll found.

Attending mass was scorned by the officially atheist communist authorities. Once the regime fell in 1989, people flocked to Easter and Christmas masses out of curiosity rather than belief, while church weddings and christenings became fashionable. Traditionally, the patriarch also blesses the government and president when they are sworn in to office.

But people were put off by the lack of accountability in Church finances and the tendency of certain top bishops to flaunt their affluence compared with the poverty of most ordinary clergymen. One of the compromised bishops, for example, drove to last year’s December 6 Saint Nicholas mass in a luxury Lincoln MKZ hybrid car. — AFP

Mogadishu clashes kill nine Somalis Al-Shabaab says US drone kills its senior militant

HELSINKI: Paavo Arhinmaki of the Left Alliance’s and candidate for the Finnish presidential elections pulls his niece Nelli after casting his vote at a local school yesterday. — AFP

Pro-European the favorite to win in Finnish election HELSINKI: Finns voted in a presidential election yesterday and pro-European candidate Sauli Niinistoe looked set to lead in the first round after a campaign centered on the country’s role in the EU. The skies cleared after days of snowfall to entice the 27 percent of voters who remained undecided in the latest survey published three days earlier to make their choice at the ballot box. Niinistoe, a veteran politician from Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen’s conservative National Coalition Party, has enjoyed a wide lead, with the latest survey published Friday giving him 32 percent support.

But ever since Finland introduced a direct popular vote to elect the president in 1994, no candidate has won outright in the first round. Although well ahead of his rivals, Niinistoe’s lead has slipped from 51 percent in December, increasing the chance of a run-off round next month. Pekka Haavisto, the 53-year-old EU-friendly Green candidate, has surged into second place in recent weeks from single digit obscurity to 13 percent in the latest survey published Friday.

Eurosceptic Paavo Vaeyrynen, 65, of the traditionally agrarian Centre Party, is in third place with around 11 percent in the latest poll. Populist and deeply eurosceptic Finns Party candidate Timo Soini, 49, has meanwhile seen his support dwindle from double digits to six percent. If no candidate obtains more than 50 percent of the votes yesterday, a run-off will be held on February 5.

The election campaign has been dominated by the eurozone debt crisis and the country’s role in the 27-member European Union. Many Finns have voiced frustration over pressure to help bail out indebted Greece, especially after Finns themselves endured severe austerity measures in the 1990s to put their own fiscal house in order. Finland, with

5.3 million inhabitants, is in an elite club of eurozone members with a triple-A credit rating and is key to any bailout deals.

Vaeyrynen and Soini both favour a return to the Finnish markka, with provincial dailies reporting Saturday that Soini had called for an investigation into the cost of returning to the pre-euro currency. Niinistoe-instrumental in leading Finland into the eurozone during his tenure as finance minister from 1996 to 2003 — has withstood the fiery debate on Finland’s role in the euro club.

The president has traditionally played a key role in Finland’s foreign policy, but in October parliament voted to hand EU policy to the cabinet with the prime minister now the main representative in EU affairs. Despite that change, the euro issue has dominated the campaign because it remains “pretty close to the hearts of voters,” Helsinki University political science professor Tuomo Martikainen told AFP. Polls will close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) and official results are expected at 10:00 pm (2000 GMT). There was active voting in Jyvaeskylae in nor thern Finland, where by initial accounts voter turnout exceeded the previous election year’s activity by 50 percent, regional dailies reported. Other reports indicated lively voting in Turku, southeast Finland, as well as the Helsinki suburbs of Espoo and Tuusula. Among voters interviewed by the Helsingin Sanomat daily in the eastern Helsinki port of Vuosaari, some had still to make up their minds. “I haven’t chosen yet, I’m still thinking. I’m in two minds,” Martti Lavinto said. Still, with one third of a possible 4.4 million ballots cast in advance, and a record number of early overseas votes, observers were expecting a high turnout of up to 74 percent. — AFP

MOGADISHU: Somali militants firing vehiclemounted anti-aircraft guns clashed with African Union forces for a second night in Mogadishu, killing at least nine people including women and children, an ambulance official said yesterday.

African Union (AU) troops launched a new offensive against Al-Shabaab on Friday, seizing rebel positions just outside the capital for the first time. The insurgents, however, have launched counter attacks. On Saturday night they struck a government military checkpoint known as ‘Ex-control’ in a northwest suburb of the coastal city. Soldiers with the AU’s AMISOM force repelled the assault, an AMISOM spokesman said.

Caught in the crossfire were Somalis seeking refuge in camps for displaced people, victims already of the anarchic country’s two-decade civil war, or famine. “At least nine displaced people, mostly women and children died in the camps near the former American embassy on Friday and Saturday night,” Ali Musa, coordinator of the city’s

ambulance services, told Reuters.

Ex-control is a strategically important checkpoint. On the outskirts of Mogadishu, it is the final government-controlled roadblock on the road that bends south to Afgoye, a rebel stronghold about 30 km (17 miles) from the capital.

“These (two) nights Al-Shabaab came close with anti-craft guns mounted on lorries, but we repulsed them,” Ndayiragije Come, spokesman for the AU’s Burundian contingent, said.

Air strike installs fear Camp resident Mohamed Sidow buried his mother yesterday morning in a shallow grave, hours after a stray round killed her. “A bullet hit her in the head as she slept in front of our shelter last night,” Sidow told Reuters. Panic engulfed the camp through the night, he said, as shells pounded the area and bullets fizzed through the air.

Trapped, Sidow and others were unable to take the wounded to hospital. “We could not carry my mother to hospital last night. Al Shabaab’s anti-

aircraft fire forced us to stay put. My mother died from blood loss,” he said.

Meanwhile, scores of families fled Elasha town and the surrounding area after Al-Shabaab said a missile fired by a US drone had hit a car in the town, about 13 km from Mogadishu, killing one of its senior militants. In a statement emailed late on Saturday, the insurgents said the militant was British passport holder Bilal el Berjawi, also known as Abu Hafsa. Of Lebanese descent, he grew up in west London and joined Somalia’s Islamist militants in early 2006. “Hafsa ... took on a distinguished role in the fight against the warlords that terrorized the city of Mogadishu at the time,” the statement said. Asha Ibrahim, a mother of five, said she and her children were fleeing the town of Lafole, close to Elasha. “Mogadishu is no paradise, but we believe air strikes are more destructive than the shelling in Mogadishu,” she told Reuters. “In Lafole, Al-Shabaab is everyone’s neighbor, so we are vulnerable to the bombs intended for Al-Qaeda.” — Reuters

Croatians decide on EU entry in key referendum

ZAGREB: A little girl casts her father’s ballot at a polling station in Donja Lomnica, some 40 kilometers from capital Zagreb, yesterday. — AFP

ZAGREB: Croatians voted yesterday in a referendum on EU membership seen as a definitive break from the volatile Balkan region and vital for consolidating peace and economic recovery in the ex-Yugoslav republic. Surveys showed around 60 percent would back EU entry, with all the major political parties in favour of the move, paving the way for Croatia to formally join the bloc in 2013. “Croatia says ‘yes’,” a confident Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said as he cast his vote. He dismissed fears from the anti-EU camp that Croatia, which has a population of 4.2 million, would be too small to make any impact in the 27member bloc.

“We are not big, but we are not insignificant either,” Milanovic told reporters. President Ivo Josipovic was also upbeat, telling media he was “looking forward to the whole of Europe becoming my home”. At 1000 GMT, four hours after voting started, the turnout was 11.44 percent, the election commission said. Polling stations were to close at 1800 GMT, with first results due to be released within the hour. “It is simply a matter of Croatia formally joining the EU after the bloc has already entered Croatia” notably through political, legislative and economic reforms that Zagreb had to implement to be eligible, the Zagreb-based political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. “The largest part of Croatia’s political life during the past 20 years was focused on explaining that we are leaving the Balkans and that we have always belonged to Europe,” he said. Jasna Kozlovic, a pensioner, voted ‘yes’ since: “We need order and perspective, if not for us then for our

grandchildren,” she said as she left a polling station in central Zagreb.

Opponents of EU membership fear a loss of sovereignty and national identity, while some of the conditions imposed by Brussels, including full cooperation with the UN war crimes court, have angered many. “It’s like boarding the Titanic. Croatia has the strength and potential to be independent and in the EU we would be second-class citizens,” lamented Zorana Banac, a 57-year-old housewife, who said she was voting ‘no.’

EU membership has been a strategic goal since Zagreb won independence in 1995 after a four-year war following its declaration of independence. While other post-communist countries in central and eastern Europe were strengthening their democracies and paving their way towards EU integration, Croatia’s EU aspirations were halted by the 1991-95 war and its legacy. It was not until 2000 that the election of a pro-European government enabled Croatia’s transformation into a genuine parliamentary democracy eligible for EU candidate status. However, enthusiasm for EU membership waned after long and often thorny accession talks that opened in 2005, notably with the latest economic crisis within the bloc. For the past three years Croatia, whose economy relies on Adriatic tourism, has been mostly in recession. The national bank sees the economy shrinking by 0.2 percent this year. Croatian politicians have repeatedly warned that EU membership would not automatically resolve all economic woes but stress it would give the country new opportunities. —AFP

13th victim of shipwreck found in Italy GIGLIO: Italian officials say divers have pulled out a woman’s body from the capsized Costa Concordia, raising to 13 the number of dead in the Jan. 13 accident off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Civil protection official Francesca Maffini told reporters the victim was wearing a life vest and was found in the rear of a submerged portion of a ship by a team of fire department divers. The unidentified body was being removed from the ship. Before the body was found yesterday afternoon, there were at least 20 people missing. Earlier, Italian officials said it was possible that unregistered passengers had been aboard when the Concordia struck a reef off Gigilio. Only eight of the 13 bodies so far found have been identified.

Unregistered passengers might have been aboard the stricken cruise liner that capsized off this Tuscan island, a top rescue official said yesterday, raising the possibility that the number of missing might be higher than the 20 previously announced. Rescuers, meanwhile, resumed searching the above-water section of the Costa Concordia but choppy seas kept divers from exploring the submerged part, where officials have said there could be bodies. “There could have been X persons who we don’t know about who were inside, who were clandestine” passengers aboard the ship, Franco Gabrielli, the national civil protection official in charge of the rescue

effort, told reporters at a briefing on the island of Giglio, where the ship, with 4,200 people aboard rammed a reef and sliced open its hull on Jan 13 before turning over on its side.

Gabrielli said that relatives of a Hungarian woman have told Italian authorities that she had telephoned them from aboard the ship and that they haven’t heard from her since the accident. He said it was possible that a woman’s body pulled from the wreckage by divers on Saturday might be that of the unregistered passenger. But the identity of that body and of three male bodies, all badly decomposed after days in the water, have yet to be established. Gabrielli said they have identified the other eight bodies: four French, an Italian, a Hungarian, a German and a Spanish national.

Until yesterday, authorities had said that 20 people are still missing. The search had been halted for several hours early yesterday, after instrument readings indicated that the Concordia has shifted a bit on its precarious perch on a seabed just outside Giglio’s port. A few meters (yards) away, the sea bottom drops off suddenly, by some 20-30 meters (65-100 feet), and if the Concordia should abruptly roll off its ledge, rescuers could be trapped inside.

When instrument data indicated the vessel had stabilized again, rescuers went back

in, but only explored the above-water section. Choppy seas kept divers from exploring the submerged part of the ship, including the restaurant and evacuation staging areas where survivors have indicated that people who did not make it into lifeboats during the chaotic evacuation could have remained.

Passengers were dining at a gala supper when the Concordia sailed close to Giglio and

struck the reef, which is indicated on maritime and even tourist maps.

There are also fears that the Concordia’s double-bottom fuel tanks could rupture in case of sudden shifting, spilling 2,200 metric tons (almost 500,000 million gallons) of heavy fuel into pristine sea around Giglio, which is part of a seven-island archipelago in some of the Mediterranean’s most pristine

ISOLA DEL GIGLIO: People look at fire fighters operating on the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia yesterday. — AFP

waters and a prized fishing area. But Gabrielli said pollutants found near the ship have been detergents and other substances, including chlorine, apparently from the wreck of the ship, which carried some 3,200 passengers and a crew of 1,000. Any fuel traces found were “compatible with what you find in a port,” he said.

Ferries and cargo ships regularly call at Giglio’s port. Sophisticated oil-removal equipment has been standing by, waiting for the search-and-rescue operations to conclude before workers can start extracting the fuel in the tanks.

The Italian captain, Francesco Schettino, is under house arrest as prosecutors investigate him for suspected manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the ship while many were still aboard.

Operator Costa Crociere, a subsidiary of US-based Carnival Cruise Lines, has said that Capt Schettino had deviated without permission from the vessel’s route in an apparent maneuver to sail close to the island and impress passengers. Schettino, despite audiotapes of his defying Coast Guard orders to scramble back aboard, has denied he abandoned ship while hundreds of passengers were desperately trying to get off the capsizing vessel. He has said he coordinated the rescue from aboard a lifeboat and then from the shore. — AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Alaskan farewell to Russian tanker after fuel run NOME: A Russian tanker’s crew headed for home Saturday-warmed by a pizza sendoff-after delivering fuel in a dramatic winter operation helped by a US ice-breaker ship. Locals in Nome, on Alaska’s western coast across the Bering Sea from the Russian Far East, voiced gratitude for the delivery to their 3,500strong community, which is ice-locked for months over the winter. “I am so sorry to see them leave. It is so quiet in here without them,” said Andrea Surina, who works at the Polar Cafe, where the Coast Guard gathered to eat during the week-long mission.

The Vladivostok-based Renda followed its escort the US Coast Guard Healy into the mist, leaving Nome after

supplying 1.3 million gallons of fuel to top off the ice-locked town’s winter fuel supply. The Russian ship had arrived a week earlier after battling for more than 10 days across 300 miles (480 kilometers) of Arctic ice to reach Nome, having to be repeatedly helped by the Healy, leading the way.

The remote town did not get its usual pre-winter oil delivery due to a storm, necessitating the unprecedented operation to bring fuel in during winter. A special waiver had to be granted to allow the Renda to head to the rescue, as under a 1920 law only US-owned and operated vessels are allowed to make such deliveries. The two ships finally arrived near Nome late

last week, although it took several days to move the tanker into position and start pumping fuel, a process that eventually ended Thursday.

In a farewell gesture to 22 crewmen on the Russian tanker-who were not allowed to come ashore because of US Customs regulations-Surina organized a pizza delivery to the Renda. “I got the idea to make them a pizza party to show appreciation. I sent it out on a snow machine and sled. “Here we are in our houses warm and comfortable, food on our tables, home for the holidays. They were willing to do this, leave their families through the holidays and make this trip. “We appreciate the idea that we have fuel now. Nome won’t run

out.” She recounted how she spent two days battling with logistics, customs issues and security to deliver the tasty gift-ending up by calling the governor’s office, and finally getting permission.

“So we boxed up blueberry pie, apple pie, vanilla bean and chocolate ice cream. That took care of dessert. For a main course we asked Bill Howell at Airport Pizza to donate four huge pizzas. He did. Howell himself added: “We made those Russian guys some pizza because it was the right thing to do.

They helped us out. They had a mission.

They accomplished their mission. I wanted to express my thanks.” After leaving Nome on Saturday, the Renda and Healy will battle together through

the ice. Once out of it the ships will separate, the Healy heading to Seattle for maintenance.

Mark Smith, head of Vitus Marine, the company that chartered the Renda for the fuel delivery, said ice and wind conditions could be favorable for the ship’s return to Vladivostok. Forecasts suggested 100-150 miles of open water were opening up, he said before the tanker and its US escort left. “They are optimistic that if they can get away from shore-fast ice they can make some rapid progress,” he said. “It’s all about ice conditions, but once the Renda is free of the ice pack, they are probably 10 days away from home port in Vladivostok.” — AFP

US House Republicans look to each other for rebirth Leaders urge election-year unity during retreat

USS ENTERPRISE: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (right) escorted by the commander of Strike Group Twelve, Rear Adm. Walter E Carter Jr (left), watches day flight operations from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise on Saturday, Jan 21, 2012. — AP

Despite cuts, US to maintain 11 aircraft carriers: Panetta ABOARD THE USS ENTERPRISE: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told sailors aboard the country’s oldest aircraft carrier that the US is committed to maintaining a fleet of 11 of the formidable warships despite budget pressures, in part to project sea power against Iran.

Panetta also told the crowd of 1,700 gathered in the hangar bay of the USS Enterprise that the ship is heading to the Persian Gulf region and will steam through the Strait of Hormuz in a direct message to Tehran. Iran has warned it will block the Strait, a major transit point for global oil supplies, and bluntly told the US not to send carriers into the Gulf.

The US has said it would continue to deploy ships there.

“That’s what this carrier is all about,” said Panetta. “That’s the reason we maintain a presence in the Middle East ... We want them to know that we are fully prepared to deal with any contingency and it’s better for them to try to deal with us through diplomacy.” There was speculation that budget pressures would force the Pentagon to scale back the number of carriers, perhaps to 10, and Panetta’s predecessor, Robert Gates, questioned maintaining 11 ships.

But Congress has expressed strong support for the current US carrier fleet and has passed a law requiring the Defense Department to maintain 11 of the ships. After his speech, Panetta told reporters traveling with him that the department will be looking for cuts in other areas. He added, “Our view is that the carriers, because of their presence, because of the power they represent, are a very important part of our ability to maintain power projection both in the Pacific and in the Middle East.”

Keeping 11 of the warships, he said, “is

a long-term commitment that the president wants to put in place.” Panetta’s remarks came amid the roar of fighter jets taking off and landing on the flight deck above, as the Enterprise conducted training operations about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Georgia. Known as the Big E, the warship and the other six ships in the carrier strike group will deploy to the Middle East in March. Its presence there will allow the US to maintain two carrier strike groups in the Gulf region, where they can support battle operations in Afghanistan, anti-piracy efforts and other missions in the area.

“The Big E is going to be an important symbol of that power in that part of the world,” said Panetta, whose tour of the ship included stops on the bridge and the flight deck, as fighter jets catapulted off the ship. This is Panetta’s first visit to a carrier during operations at sea. He was to spend the night on the ship. The decision to maintain 11 carrier groups, Panetta said, is part of the Defense Department’s five-year budget plan that will include $260 billion in savings.

Overall, the Pentagon must come up with $487 billion over the next 10 years.

The USS Enterprise, which is based in Norfolk, Va., was built 50 years ago as the first nuclear-powered carrier, and is now the oldest active duty ship in America’s Naval fleet. The ship’s upcoming deployment will be its 22nd and final tour, after which it is scheduled to be deactivated.

It is being replaced by the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is the first in a new class of technologically advanced carriers. There will be about a 33-month gap before the Ford is commissioned, but Congress has granted a waiver allowing the Navy to drop to 10 carriers for that period of time. — AFP

Horrific murder no great surprise in meth capital FRESNO: When a 23-year-old woman fatally shot her two toddlers and a cousin, critically wounded her husband then turned the gun on herself last Sunday, investigators immediately suspected methamphetamine abuse in what otherwise was inexplicable carnage. It turned out the mother had videotaped herself smoking meth hours before the shooting. In family photos, the children are adorable, the mother pretty. They lived in a large apartment complex near a freeway with neatly clipped lawns and mature trees. The father was recently laid off from a packing house job.

“When you get this type of tragedy, it’s not a surprise that drugs were involved,” said Lt. Mark Salazar, the Fresno Police Department’s homicide commander. “Meth has been a factor in other violent crimes.” A mother in Bakersfield, California, was sentenced Tuesday for stabbing her newborn while in a meth rage. An Oklahoma woman drowned her baby in a washing machine in November. A New Mexico woman claiming to be God stabbed her son with a screwdriver last month, saying, “God wants him dead.”

“Once people who are on meth become psychotic, they are very dangerous,” said Dr. Alex Stalcup, who treated Haight Ashbury heroin users in

the 1960s, but now researches meth and works with addicts in the San Francisco Bay Area suburbs. “They’re completely bonkers; they’re nuts. We’re talking about very extreme alterations of normal brain function. Once someone becomes triggered to violence, there aren’t any limits or boundaries.”

The Central Valley of California is a hub of the US methamphetamine distribution network, making extremely pure forms of the drug easily available locally. And law enforcement officials say widespread meth abuse is believed to be driving much of the crime in the vast farming region. Chronic use of the harsh chemical compound known as speed or crank can lead to psychosis, which includes hearing voices and experiencing hallucinations. The stimulant effect of meth is up to 50 times longer than cocaine, experts say, so users stay awake for days on end, impairing cognitive function and contributing to extreme paranoia. “Your children and your spouse become your worst enemy, and you truly believe they are after you,” said Bob Pennal, a recently retired meth investigator from the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Methamphetamine originally took root in California’s agricultural heartland in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a poor man’s cocaine. — AP

BALTIMORE: Republicans in the US House of Representatives, having seen their 2010 election victory dissolve into a near-suicidal tax fight, are promoting a repackaged jobs message they hope carries them to victory in the 2012 elections. At a three-day retreat at a harborfront hotel in Baltimore, an hour’s drive from Washington, House Speaker John Boehner mobilized prayer sessions, motivational speakers, spin doctors and even colorful New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to cheer up his 242-member House Republican conference. House Republicans were ebullient when they gathered last year for their annual retreat after wresting control of the House from Democrats in elections a few months earlier. Twelve months later, the party faces a tough fight to hold those gains.

Polls show that Americans blame Republicans more than Democrats for the gridlock in Congress that has paralyzed decision-making on some of the toughest problems facing the country - job creation and dangerously high deficits. By the time the retreat wrapped up on Saturday after gripe sessions, policy discussions and lectures on tactics and messaging, House Republicans may not have figured out how they will handle those problems, but Boehner proclaimed to reporters that in 2012, “our focus will be on the economy and jobs.”

With a national jobless rate of 8.5 percent and millions of long-term unemployed people losing hope, Republicans and Democrats will both tr y to convince voters in the November presidential and congressional

elections that they hold the keys to an improving economy. President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats want to position themselves as protectors of the poor and middle class and a bulwark against Republicans who want to enrich the already rich.

Republicans counter that a free-spending president who racked up about $5 trillion in government debt wants nothing more than to overregulate job-creating companies and drive the country into the same economic ditch into which Europe is peering. Emerging from the retreat, House Republicans plan to tout the 30 pieces of legislation they passed last year aimed at spurring job growth. While it is unclear how many jobs those bills would have actually created, Republicans will complain the measures were killed by an uncooperative Democratic majority in the Senate.

‘Party of small business’ The strategy is clear-to rebut Obama’s concerted efforts to paint Republicans as obstructionist for refusing to pass his own $447 billion jobs bill. The 30 jobs bills will become a staple of the Republican election rhetoric, but that could open the party to the same accusations they level against Obama - that they are simply rehashing old ideas instead of proposing new ones.

“We must be the party of small business,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the No 2 House Republican, urged fellow lawmakers at the retreat, which was held behind closed doors. “If you say it once an hour, it’s not enough, if you say it every 15 minutes, it’s still

not enough,” Cantor said. Both parties cast themselves as the champions of small businesses, which economists say are the engines of US economic growth and job creation.

Cantor, who has courted the often rebellious 85 first-term or “freshmen” congressmen, many of them small-government Tea Party activists, acknowledged their disappointment with the slow pace of change in Washington.

Reflecting on his party’s year in control of the House - which ended with the US budget being about the same size as when Republicans took power - Cantor told the rank and file, “We learned this year that progress must be more incremental than some of us would have liked.”

Football and pollsters To rally his troops, Boehner recruited former Washington Redskins football coach Joe Gibbs, a three-time Super Bowl winner now involved in NASCAR auto racing, to deliver a pep talk. “He talked about football and NASCAR and about his life. His message was about the value of teamwork.

That is what we are all about, teamwork,” said first-term Representative Chuck Fleischmann. Teamwork is something Boehner’s fractious caucus has struggled with since Republicans won control of the House in 2010. Zealous freshmen aligned with the conservative Tea Party movement repeatedly frustrated the speaker’s efforts to negotiate compromises with Democrats, raising questions from some about his effectiveness as a leader. — Reuters

Ukraine’s Yanukovich refuses to relent in Tymoshenko case

CHARLESTON: Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen Rick Santorum, and his wife Karen, stand with cadets from The Citadel. — AP

Santorum ‘pressing’ on to wowing Florida CHARLESTON: Vowing to go forward, Republican Rick Santorum cast his disappointing third-place finish in this state’s primary as a hiccup and pledged Saturday to continue with a campaign that he called “wide open.” Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich claimed the top spot in this state’s first-in-the-South primary and former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney claimed second. Undeterred, Santorum did not acknowledge the deficits he faces - chiefly money and momentum - and insisted he would press forward with a campaign that increasingly looked to be on its last legs.

“Let me assure you we will go to Florida and we will go to Arizona,” he said before supporters interrupted him with cheers of “We pick Rick.” “I ask you: it’s a wide-open race. Join the fight,” he urged them at an election night rally at the Citadel. Santorum eked out a narrow win in lead-off Iowa but lost in a blow-out to Mitt Romney in New Hampshire.

Santorum had cast South Carolina as a place where he could start a wellfinanced, traditional campaign, yet he came up well short to Gingrich.

“Three states. Three different winners.

What a great country,” Santorum said. For months, Santorum has cast himself as the candidate who can best compare his record with President Barack Obama and pitched himself as the most consistent conservative in the race. The former Pennsylvania senator urged Republicans to stand up for social conservative values and promised to continue his campaign

with that unapologetic and, at times, aggressive message.

The disadvantages that plagued Santorum early on - lack of money, shell operations, negligible advertising - gave way to a more professional campaign here. He had the money to air ads, hire staff and cover as much ground as possible with a private airplane. Many of his senior advisers had deep roots to the state and in recent days he beamed confidently that South Carolina could give him his second win in an early state.

That win didn’t come Saturday and his advisers were shuffling to reset the campaign yet again, this time in costly Florida. His aides planned for him to greet voters near Fort Lauderdale yesterday and then prepare for two debates in the coming week. But Florida is a costly state where the campaigns are fought on television ads, not diners and storefronts that were the center of Santorum’s strategy to this point. The sheer size of Florida is a challenge for candidates to navigate, although Santorum’s tentative plans call for him to focus on just one media market a day. Santorum’s outside allies seemed poised to bankroll supportive ads - at least for now. “The longer we can keep his candidacy going, the more people can see his qualities,” said Foster Friess, a Wyoming businessman and a major contributor to the Red, White and Blue Fund, an outside “super” political committee supporting Santorum. “If you look at Republicans, they always run these old war horses. Santorum is different.” — AP

KIEV: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich appeared yesterday to rule out any prospect of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko being freed, saying those responsible for signing a 2009 gas deal with Russia on “enslaving” terms should be punished. Tymoshenko, in a statement from prison where she is serving a seven-year jail sentence, called on all opposition forces to unite to defeat Yanukovich’s Regions Party in a parliamentary election next October.

Her jailing last October for abuse of office, linked to the 2009 gas contract she brokered as prime minister, has led to a crisis in relations between the ex-Soviet republic and the West. The United States and the European Union say the trial was politically motivated; in December the EU withheld completion of agreements on political association and a free trade zone with Ukraine in protest over her jailing. Tymoshenko’s trial and conviction are widely seen as a settling of scores between rival groups in the exSoviet republic. Tymoshenko was a key player in the “Orange Revolution” street protests in 2004-2005 which overturned Yanukovich’s first bid for the presidency. He made a comeback and narrowly defeated her in a run-off vote in February 2010. Despite the EU pressure, justice officials have opened fresh criminal cases against Tymoshenko and she has been moved from police detention in the capital, Kiev, to a remote prison camp in Kharkiv, some 500 km (310 miles) to the east.

The Ukrainian leadership says the 2009 gas deal saddled the country with an exorbitant price for gas and committed it to importing volumes of Russian gas it does not need.

“Ukraine has become hostage to enslaving gas agreeements ... which have caused the country huge losses, billions of losses. We have been left with a huge external debt. Those who, regardless of their office, pushed Ukraine to the abyss must bear responsibility before the Ukrainian people,” Yanukovich told a ceremony yesterday. Several thousand opposition supporters used a rally in the centre of Kiev, marking the day when eastern Ukraine joined the west of the country, to protest at the government’s policies and call for Tymoshenko to be freed. — Reuters

KIEV: Supporters of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko take part in a rally yesterday. — AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

In bin Laden town, father mourns another militant ABBOTTABAD: On Jan 14 at 8:12 pm, Khushal Khan’s wife got a call on her cell phone. “Your son has been martyred,” the voice said at the other end of the line.

The man then hung up. The end for Khan’s youngest son, Aslam Awan, came when a drone piloted remotely from the United States fired a missile at a house along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Awan was among four people killed, US officials said this week, describing Awan as an “external operations planner” for Al-Qaeda.

British authorities say he was a member of a militant cell in northern England who had fought in Afghanistan.

The Jan. 10 strike in the militant stronghold of North Waziristan that killed Awan was a victory for the CIA-led drone program at time when relations between Washington and Islamabad are very strained, in part by the missile strikes. It was one of the first drone attacks after a hiatus of some six weeks following a friendly fire incident in which US forces killed 24 Pakistani border troops, nearly leading to a severing of ties with Islamabad.

The drone attacks generate anti-American sentiment inside Pakistan, but have been credited with significantly weakening Al-Qaeda in one of its global hubs.

For his family, the call came as a final curt word about the fate of a son they had heard little from in over a year. Awan grew up in the northwestern Pakistani town of Abbottabad, a few kilometers away from the house where Osama bin Laden was slain. His father worked in a bank in Britain in the 70s and then in Abbottabad until he retired a few years ago. His four other sons remain in Britain, where they have prospered - one is a surgeon, another is a doctor, the third an engineer and

the fourth is a banker.

It seems doubtful Awan had any contact with bin Laden in the town. But Awan’s background here reinforces a striking association between this well-ordered, wealthy Pakistani army town and al-Qaida militants, which began before bin Laden was killed here in May last year when a team of American commandos flew in from Afghanistan.

Now 75 and recovering from a heart operation, Khushal Khan answered questions Saturday from an Associated Press reporter in the garden of his house, making the most of some winter sun. He defended his son’s memory against charges of militancy. “I don’t believe this is true, my son was not indulging in these things,” he said. “It can’t be correct.” Khan said Awan followed his brothers’ footsteps and went to Britain in 2002 on a student visa. Awan lived in Manchester for four years, during which time he joined a militant cell that aimed to bring Muslims to Pakistan for militant training, according to prosecutors at the time and a British media report. He told his father he was studying at Manchester University, but it’s unclear whether he ever graduated.

The cell was headed by a British Al-Qaeda commander called Rangzieb Ahmed who was captured in Pakistan in 2006 and sent for trial in Britain, where he was sentenced to life in prison for directing terrorism, according to Britain’s Daily Telegraph. A letter he wrote a to a longtime friend and fellow Pakistani, Abdul Rahman, rhapsodized over the “fragrance of blood” from the battlefield of jihad and his commitment to militancy, according to prosecutors in the trial of Rahman, who was sentenced to six years in jail in 2007

for spreading terrorist propaganda in Manchester. It apparently referred to a stint fighting jihad in Afghanistan, but when that occurred is not known.

The judge said then Awan was believed to have left England for Afghanistan. “Awan was very well connected to known extremists in the UK. It highlights that the threat is still there,” said Valentina Soria, a terrorism researcher at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. “This group were not just wannabes, they were active and with links to Al-Qaeda central.” There are thought to be about 900,000 Pakistani Muslims in England - many of them living in London and in northern cities. British authorities have said nearly all the plots and attacks on British soil have some connection to Pakistan.

Awan returned to Abbottabad in 2007, around the time that bin Laden was settling in to his large house, though that doesn’t mean Awan was in touch with him or any of his couriers. US officials have previously said the Al-Qaeda leader was cut off from the rest of his network and wasn’t meeting other militants for security reasons. Awan began to associate with Sipah-e-Sahaba, an extremist group that has a political wing as well links to Al-Qaeda, according to a police officer in the town who knows the family. The officer didn’t give his name because he didn’t want to be seen as adding to Khan’s pain. Khan said he last saw his son or heard his voice in 2010, when Awan asked for funds to build a house and they fought over the fact he wasn’t working. “That was the point when I had to forcefully ask him to go out earn some money,” he said. “But my words hurt him, and he left home with only the clothes he was wearing.”

Khan said he initially feared his son had been kid-

napped when he didn’t return or contact him.

But after a few months, Awan called his wife and told her he was in Miran Shah, the largest town in North Waziristan. He said he was running a general store and dealing in second-hand clothes. Local intelligence officials said Awan was known by the nom de guerre Abdullah Khurasani, and was highly prized in al-Qaida circles because of his education, computer skills and foreign contacts.

Al-Qaeda, Taliban and other militants from around the world congregate for training and networking in North Waziristan, and Miran Shah is a key logistical base.

The town is too dangerous for reporters to visit, but locals who have traveled there say hundreds of Pakistan and foreign militants live there openly, unmolested other than by the US missile attacks on its outskirts. The Pakistani army says it doesn’t have enough resources to launch an operation in the region. The missile strike program began in earnest in 2009 and has been stepped up by the Obama administration. Abbottabad is home to the Pakistan army’s top military academy and hundreds of officers and soldiers live in what is one of the country’s more secure towns. The fact that bin Laden hid there for so long in plain sight triggered intense international suspicions that the military was sheltering him. AlQaeda’s No 3, Abu Faraj Al-Libi, lived in Abbottabad before his arrest in 2005 elsewhere in northwest Pakistan, American and Pakistani officials have said. Five months prior to the bin Laden raid, Indonesian AlQaeda operative Umar Patek was arrested in the town following the arrest of an Al-Qaeda courier who worked at the post office. US officials have said Patek’s arrest in Abbottabad was a coincidence. — AP

How Pakistan helps US drone campaign Targets hunted by network of Pakistani ‘spotters’

MALE: In this photo, demonstrators gather outside the police and military headquarters yesterday to protest against the arrest of the chief judge of the criminal court by the military. — AFP

Maldives seeks UN mediation COLOMBO: The Maldives yesterday asked the UN and the Commonwealth to send a team of international legal experts to mediate in a judicial crisis that has sparked street demonstrations in recent days. Anti-government activists have been protesting against President Mohamed Nasheed, who initiated the arrest last Monday of the head of the country’s criminal court on charges of misconduct and favoring opposition figures.

Criminal Cour t Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed’s arrest triggered a wave of street protests and clashes with police in the crowded capital Male. The island’s Supreme Court and prosecutor general have called for Mohamed’s release, but he remains in military custody.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem wrote to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Commonwealth asking them to “urgently dispatch” a team of jurists, President Mohamed Nasheed’s office said yesterday. “The letter is

a follow-up to suggestions made late last week during phone calls between the president and senior UN and Commonwealth officials,” the statement said.

Opposition parties said police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of activists at a protest on Friday night and that dozens were detained, raising to 82 the number of arrests in the past few days. Naseem said the judicial impasse represented “a systemic failure” and deeper structural reforms were needed to restore judicial independence.

“This system-failure led directly to the President’s decision, as the ultimate guarantor of the Constitution and of rule of law in the Maldives, to detain Justice Abdulla Mohamed,” he said. Naseem said the government was keen to resolve the crisis in an orderly and peaceful manner. The government last week raised fears that Islamic extremism were taking hold in the Indian Ocean island nation, best known for its upmarket tourism and as a destination for honeymooners. — AFP

Taleban video shows Pak soldiers’ killing PESHAWAR: Taleban militants have released a video showing the execution of 15 Pakistani soldiers whose bodies were found earlier this month after they were kidnapped in northwestern Pakistan. The Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the killings. The 15 FC (Frontier Constabulary) personnel were kidnapped late last month after a night-time raid on a checkpoint in the northwestern town of Tank. Pakistan’s seven tribal districts near the Afghan border, including North Waziristan, are rife with homegrown insurgents and are strongholds of Taleban and Al-Qaeda operatives.

The 2.38 minute video, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, was released late Saturday and shows the blindfolded sol-

diers sitting in three rows on a hillside. The soldiers had their hands tied behind their backs and were flanked by two masked gunmen. A middle-aged soldier, who identifies himself as Babar Khan, says in the video that he was captured with the others

by Taleban militants who stormed their outpost late at night.

Then an unidentified Taleban commander wearing a leather jacket appears and says the group was taking revenge for the killing of 12 Taleban fighters in Khyber tribal district. “We warn the government of Pakistan to stop killing our people whom they have arrested and if they continue to do so then Taleban will (kill) them like this,” he says, before he starts shooting the captured soldiers with a Kalashnikov rifle. —AFP

MUKHTSAR: An Indian commando stands guard near a poster with a portrait of Mayawati, chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and head of the Bahujan Samaj Party, during an election rally yesterday. — AP

ISLAMABAD: The death of a senior Al-Qaeda leader in a US drone strike in Pakistan’s tribal badlands, the first strike in almost two months, signaled that the US-Pakistan intelligence partnership is still in operation despite political tensions. The Jan 10 strike-and its follow-up two days later- were joint operations, a Pakistani security source based in the tribal areas told Reuters. They made use of Pakistani “spotters” on the ground and demonstrated a level of coordination that both sides have sought to downplay since tensions erupted in January 2011 with the killing of two Pakistanis by a CIA contractor in Lahore.

“Our working relationship is a bit different from our political relationship,” the source told Reuters, requesting anonymity. “It’s more productive.” US and Pakistani sources told Reuters that the target of the Jan 10 attack was Aslam Awan, a Pakistani national from Abbottabad, the town where Osama bin Laden was killed last May by a US commando team.

They said he was targeted in a strike by a USoperated drone directed at what news reports said was a compound near the town of Miranshah in the border province of North Waziristan. That strike broke an undeclared eight-week hiatus in attacks by the armed, unmanned drones that patrol the tribal areas and are a key weapon in US President Barack Obama’s counter-terrorism strategy.

The sources described Awan, also known by the nom-de-guerre Abdullah Khorasani, as a significant figure in the remaining core leadership of al Qaeda, which US officials say has been sharply reduced by the drone campaign. Most of the drone attacks are conducted as part of a clandestine CIA operation.

The Pakistani source, who helped target Awan, could not confirm that he was killed, but the US official said he was. European officials said Awan had spent time in London and had ties to British extremists before returning to Pakistan. The source, who says he runs a network of spotters primarily in North and South Waziristan, described for the first time how USPakistani cooperation on strikes works, with his Pakistani agents keeping close tabs on suspected militants and building a pattern of their movements and associations. “We run a network of human intelligence sources,” he said.

RAWALPINDI: A supporter of a Pakistani religious party shouts religious slogans during a rally yesterday. Thousands of Islamists rallied against the US and India, demanding Islamabad cut off ties with Washington. The rally highlighted the ability of hard-liners to bring their supporters into the streets, as well as lasting anger over the Nov 26 airstrikes, which complicated US efforts to enlist Pakistan’s cooperation on the Afghan war. — AP “Separately, we monitor their cell and satellite phones. “Thirdly, we run joint monitoring operations with our US and UK friends,” he added, noting that cooperation with British intelligence was also extensive. Pakistani and US intelligence officers, using their own sources, hash out a joint “priority of targets lists” in regular face-to-face meetings, he said. “Al-Qaeda is our top priority,” he said. He declined to say where the meetings take place. Once a target is identified and “marked,” his network coordinates with drone operators on the US side. He said the United States bases drones outside Kabul, likely at Bagram airfield about 25 miles (40 km) north of the capital. From spotting to firing a missile “hardly takes about two to three hours”, he said.

Drone strikes a sore point with Pakistan It was impossible to verify the source’s claims and American experts, who decline to discuss

the drone program, say the Pakistanis’ cooperation has been less helpful in the past. US officials have complained that when information on drone strikes was shared with the Pakistanis beforehand, the targets were often tipped off, allowing them to escape. Drone strikes have been a sore point with the public and Pakistani politicians, who describe them as violations of sovereignty that produce unacceptable civilian casualties. The last strike before January had been on Nov 16, 10 days before 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in what NATO says was an inadvertent cross-border attack on a Pakistani border post. That incident sent US-Pakistan relations into the deepest crisis since Islamabad joined the US-led war on militancy following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. On Thursday, Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar said ties were “on hold” while Pakistan completes a review of the alliance. —Reuters

Vietnam war question haunts Afghanistan KABUL: A legendary question from the dying days of the Vietnam war has taken on a new resonance in Afghanistan as the United States-led coalition prepares to pull out its combat troops. Vietnam veteran and later US presidential candidate John Kerry asked the question at a Senate hearing in 1971: “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam?” Forty years later, some Western officials say privately the time has come to ask the same question about Afghanistan, given the decision to quit combat in 2014 — win, lose or draw.

And French President Nicolas Sarkozy, facing a tough election battle in three months, warned Friday that he might pull French troops out early after four were shot dead on their base by an Afghan soldier. France has about 3,600 soldiers serving in Afghanistan alongside a total of 130,000 foreign troops fighting a decade-long Taleban insurgency. Their deployment is deeply unpopular in France.

Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson, chief spokesman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, says Kerry’s question is probably “as old as warfare”. But in an interview with AFP he said it was even more pertinent in irregular types of conflict where “we all know that the decision in Afghanistan will not be achieved on the battlefield”.

Jacobson disputes overarching comparisons between Vietnam and Afghanistan, but concedes that “there are individual elements where you can say this looks a little bit like Vietnam. “And one of the big ones is that we have got not only Americans but a coalition of 50 nations that has soldiers far away from home where none of them can say this is a war that really threatens my house and home.”

One big difference, though, is that Afghanistan

doesn’t carry the “moral cost” that Vietnam did, he said. While acknowledging civilian casualties caused by NATO troops in Afghanistan, he said there was not the “moral burden that Vietnam had because of napalm, because of agent orange, because of things that went wrong”. But he admits that things have gone wrong in Afghanistan too, like the failure to follow through on the swift victory against the Taleban in 2001 with the training of a strong Afghan army-a priority now, 10 years later.

“There are a lot of people who say there were mistakes made in the first years, and probably that’s a fair judgment,” Jacobson said. The second sentence in Kerry’s famous speech to the Senate was: “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” That’s a question that haunts the British cemetery in Kabul, where soldiers from two 19th century invasions lie in snow-covered graves hidden behind high mud-brick walls and an arched wooden door. —AFP

KABUL: An Afghan woman clad in burqa waits for alms during a snowstorm yesterday. Despite billions of dollars donated by the foreign countries, Afghanistan remains on the poorest countries in the world. — AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Filipino rebels killed 100 troops in 2011 MANILA: Communist guerrillas killed about 100 government troops and police and waged 447 attacks last year despite a continuing decline in their 43-year insurgency, the military said yesterday. The attacks by New People’s Army guerrillas included 31 assaults on mining firms, banana plantations and other businesses that damaged $27 million (1.2 billion pesos) wor th of equipment and property, military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos said. The rebels earned nearly $7 million (300 million pesos) from extortion in 2011, he said. Although the Marxist insurgency, one of Asia’s longest-running,

remains the Philippines’ leading security threat, rebel attacks have declined in recent years. The number of armed rebel fighters dropped 7.8 percent last year to 4,043, Burgos said. The 447 rebel attacks last year were 11 percent fewer than in 2010 and consisted mostly of small assaults on remote detachments, killings, kidnappings, bombing and arson conducted as part of extortion demands, Burgos said. He said only 69 were major assaults, including simultaneous attacks in October on three nickel mining complexes in southeastern Surigao del Nor te province that involved more than

200 guerrillas. About 100 soldiers and troops were k illed in rebel assaults last year, down from 184 in 2010, he said. The Maoist rebels’ reliance on extortion from businesses and even poor villagers reflects a decline in their support from communities, Burgos said. President Benigno Aquino III has opened peace talks with the rebels but the negotiations have been stalled for months over a guerrilla demand for officials to release more jailed rebels.

Norway, which has been brokering the talks, has tried but failed so far to bridge the differences. Political analyst Ramon Casiple said it is much

harder now for the rebels to win political support from the people under the popular Aquino, son of revered pro-democracy figures, than in the time of disgraced leaders like former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has been detained for alleged corruption, and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was accused of plunder and massive human rights violations.

“The rebels are dealing with a government that they cannot isolate politically like Marcos,” Casiple said.

“It’s also a political conflict, a battle for hearts and minds.” The Maoist rebels did not immediately comment

on the military statement, but have disputed such claims in the past as propaganda amid escalating rebel attacks. The Communist Party of the Philippines last month dismissed as “annual year-end empty bragging” an announcement by officials that the military had cleared 23 provinces of communist insurgents, and threatened more attacks in coming months. The rural-based insurgency has endured amid widespread poverty, landlessness and faulty governance in the countr y ’s poorest regions. Clashes have killed an estimated 120,000 combatants and civilians.— AP

Indonesians deposit flowers, flip-flops for child rights 15-yr-old boy’s story turns into cause celebre

MANILA: A fire breather performs in Chinatown a day before the Chinese New Year yesterday. The Lunar New Year falls today and is the beginning of the Spring Festival holiday. — AFP

Newspapers in Japan defy West’s media depression ISHINOMAKI: Printed newspapers may be in crisis in the West but circulations remain enormous in high-tech Japan-and its media will even resort to medieval methods to get copies to readers. When the March 2011 tsunami struck a great swathe of the northeast coast, leaving 19,000 people dead or missing and triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster, it also submerged the Ishinomaki Hibi Shimbun’s presses. The 14,000-circulation paper had the biggest story of its 100-year existence right on its flooded doorstep, but no way of printing it.

So its reporters did what monks in European monasteries did with the Bible in the Middle Ages and copied out their message to the people by hand. It is an example of an intimate relationship between newspapers and readers that has long eroded in the West and means that Japan’s print media have been less damaged by the havoc wreaked by new media, analysts say. “We had a meeting with our staff that night to discuss what to do,” recalled Hiroyuki Takeuchi, the Ishinomaki paper’s chief editor.

“We agreed that any local newspaper would lose its raison d’etre if it gave up delivering a service when its community is in crisis.” The back-to-basics approach was the idea of Koichi Ohmi, the daily’s manager and a columnist. “Come on!” he told the staff. “We can still issue newspapers with just pens and paper.” Ripping reams of paper from useless printers, they seized pens and wrote out what survivors needed to know most of all-the status of each district, ration schedules and medical services information.

With their distribution network nonexistent and no vehicles available, the reporters walked to evacuation centers where homeless victims had found refuge, and pinned up their publication. Yukie Yamada, a 44-year-old female survivor, said: “All the people at the shelter flocked to the wall paper every day and stared intently at every single article. The newspaper gave us what we really needed.” The wall papers were delivered for six days, until electricity was restored and the journalists were able to produce copies on a standard computer printer.

Takeuchi said: “Our newspaper was being published by the victims for the victims. No matter what, we should spearhead our community. This is the social mission of a daily hit by natural disasters.” The loyalty works both ways. According to the World

Association of Newspapers, Japan has the second-highest newspaper penetration of any country, with readership of paid dailies at 92 percent of the population, behind only Iceland. Japan has the planet’s three biggest-selling daily newspapers, it added, led by the Yomiuri Shimbun.

The Yomiuri claims a monumental circulation of 13.5 million copies a day including its evening edition, and at 9.98 million, its morning edition alone sells more copies than all of Britain’s national dailies put together. By contrast, in the US, the Rocky Mountain News has shut down, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has gone online-only and even major names such as the San Francisco Chronicle and Boston Globe are threatened with closure.

Newspapers are standard reading fare for Japanese people on their typically lengthy train commutes to and from work, in a society that ascribes huge value to literacy and learning. But Mitsushi Akao, a lecturer on journalism at Meiji University, said the major newspapers also face less of a threat from Japan’s relatively underdeveloped Internet news sites.

“Newspapers maintain higher public confidence... A majority of young people collect information from the Internet but its sources are often newspapers. If the situation continues like this, newspapers won’t disappear.

“Newspapers traditionally boast networks far bigger (than other media) and have more reporters,” he said, adding regional papers have a special place in their readers’ hearts. The Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association told AFP that total daily sales averaged 48.35 million in 2011, down only 1.97 percent on the previous year. “Circulation numbers declined last year in line with recent falls, but the decline was still limited,” said Tsutomu Kanayama, professor of media studies at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

The business models of Japan’s newspaper publishers are different to those elsewhere in the developed world, he said.

“The Japanese newspaper industry relies heavily on its solid home-delivery system, which has long covered the entire nation minutely, which is quite different from sales at kiosks in other countries,” he told AFP. “Another factor behind the strength of the industry is their focus on securing people’s trust in their newspapers. Local newspapers in particular also try to maintain a bond with their communities.”— AFP

Singapore PM hopes for Year of Dragon baby boom SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday he hoped “fervently” that Singaporeans would boost the citystate’s stubbornly-low birth rates in the coming Year of the Dragon. In his Lunar New Year message sent to the media, Lee-a father of four-said growing Singaporean families was an “important priority” and that more local born babies were needed to maintain Singapore’s national identity “I fervently hope that this year will be a big Dragon year for babies... This is critical to preserve a Singapore core in our society,” he said.

“We do not want to rely more and more heavily on immigration, nor do we want to see our population shrinking year by year.”

The Year of the Dragon is regarded as the most auspicious to have a baby because it is the only mythical creature among the dozen animals that represent each year in the Chinese cosmic cycle. Superstitious Chinese believe children born during the Year of the Dragon the symbol of ancient

emperors-will possess courage and wisdom and bring luck to the entire family. Historic data shows spikes of more than 10 percent in the city-state’s total births during the most recent dragon years, 2000 and 1988, even as numbers declined in the interim years. Referencing official data which showed Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) dropping “steadily” from 1.60 babies per female in 2000 to 1.20 in 2011, Lee said the downward trend was “especially true” for Chinese Singaporeans. Statistics showed Chinese Singaporeans’ TFR dived from 1.43 in 2000 to 1.08 in 2011, the lowest among the three predominant races in Singapore.

Although the overall TFR for 2011 was a slight improvement on a record low of 1.15 two years ago it was far below the 2.1 babies needed for the population to replenish itself naturally. “I do not think we have reversed the long-term downward trend,” Lee said. Singapore currently has a population of 5.2 million, a quarter of whom are foreigners. — AFP

JAKARTA: A community in eastern Indonesia has placed 1,000 pink adenium flowers outside the local parliament, police station and courtroom, not to say thanks, but to send a message: leave our kids alone. In recent weeks, Indonesians outraged by reports of children arrested for petty crimes-some of whom were later beaten by police -have been mocking law enforcers with flowers, coins and even used footwear. Police are locking up children for minor misdemeanors while rampant official corruption and theft of millions in public funds is often punished with just a slap on the wrist, protesters and rights advocates say. “ There is a culture of arrogance in the police force and it is completely unprofessional to go after children,” Neta Pane, director of the campaign group Indonesia Police Watch, told AFP. “Indonesians are getting very angry about how police focus on tedious crimes while politicians and business people walk free from big corruption cases.” Earlier this month, Indonesians across the country dumped more than 1,200 pairs of sandals, flip-flops and slippers at collection points after a teenager was arrested and beaten by police for stealing an officer’s worn-out sandals.

The story of the 15-year-old boy, who faced a stiff jail sentence, turned into a cause celebre. The case goes to the heart of widespread public perception that the real criminals are getting away with it, Pane said. Days after the sandals campaign, children’s rights activists began collecting coins to draw attention to the trial on Bali island of a teenager accused of stealing a wallet containing 1,000 rupiah (11 cents).

The 1,000 flowers were sent in another case, that of a 16-yearold boy charged with stealing and selling eight adeniums from his aunt’s garden in the city of Soe, on Indonesia’s part of Timor island. The orphan said he sold the flowers for $1 each to raise money for school fees. The unusual demonstrations were

PALU: In this photograph, a child rights’ activist hands over to a police woman a box full of sandals as a statement of support for a 15-year-old Indonesian boy who was arrested and beaten by police for stealing an officer’s worn-out sandals. — AFP successful. All three teenagers were returned to their families after their cases came to the attention of the media and police were warned not to make more noise than necessary over petty crimes.

But there are still around 6,000 children in Indonesian jails, only 600 of them in children’s facilities, the government says. Children, like adults, are kept in police cells as they await trial. After a rash of similar cases in 2009 — including the arrest of 10 shoeshine boys for playing a coin-toss game that police considered gambling-the national police force conceded it would seek alternative solutions.

“Obviously there has been no progress. Judges are also to blame, sending so many kids to jail. It’s only when there’s a protest that they side with the public and acquit the accused,” Pane said.

Despite a law that stipulates jailing should be “the last resort” for punishing a child, Indonesian

courts convict and imprison 90 percent of the children they try, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund. The boy who stole the police officer’s sandals was reportedly physically abused by police and then locked up for almost three months on dubious evidence.

And a case in which two brothers in police custody were found dead with bruises covering their bodies has deepened public distrust of the law enforcement agencies. For four years in a row Indonesians have named the police as the country’s most corrupt institution, according to Transparency International, which found 50 percent of all police interactions involved bribes.

“Political pressure, especially from parties and lawmakers, and the financial security given by large corporations mean police turn a blind eye to important cases and focus on these smaller ones,” said Donny Syofyan of

Andalas University in Padang city.

Since the media attention and grassroots campaigns, Indonesia’s parliament has resumed a revision of the 1997 law on child protection, which is riddled with vague language.

The independent Indonesian Commission for Child Protection, which is funded by the government, wants to see an end to jailing children altogether, but as progress is slow, it has recommended lifting the age at which children can be caged from 12 to 15. “We have some good childprotection laws, but there’s a problem in disseminating information to all police and judges to ensure they are implementing them,” commission secretary Muhammed Ihsan said. “The commission should have an office in all 33 provinces, but we are supposed to run all of them on less than $1 million a year, which is impossible. “I think that shows the government isn’t serious about child protection.” — AFP

Abuses go on in Myanmar rebel conflict, says HRW 34 Chinese reporters jailed in 2011: HRW YANGON: Myanmar’s army raped, tortured and killed civilians in ethnic minority conflict zones last year, Human Rights Watch said yesterday, despite the government’s recent political reforms. Bloody battles have raged since June in Kachin State in the far north, marring the progress of a new regime that has surprised observers with a series of positive reforms in the isolated nation, also known as Burma.

“The Burmese military continues to violate international humanitarian law through the use of anti-personnel landmines, extrajudicial killings, forced labor, torture, beatings, and pillaging of property,” HRW said. Its report on the country-part of a worldwide review of human rights in 2011 — also said sexual violence against women and girls “remains a serious problem”, while the army “continues to actively recruit and use child soldiers”.

Ethnic minority rebels were also accused of abuses, including using landmines near civilian areas. HRW said over 50,000 civilians had been internally displaced by fighting in Kachin State, which shattered a 17-year ceasefire, while around 500,000 people were internally displaced due to conflict in the country’s eastern border areas last year.

Myanmar’s government, still largely dominated by former junta generals, has reached peace deals with Shan and Karen rebels in eastern states in recent weeks as part of efforts to end civil war that has gripped par ts of Myanmar since independence in 1948. In December, a presidential order was issued for

the military to cease attacks against guerrillas from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), but it failed to stop heavy fighting in the region, according to the rebels.

On Friday, Myanmar state media reported that the government and Kachin rebels had agreed to hold further ceasefire negotiations.

Resolution of the conflicts is a demand of Western nations which impose sanctions on the regime. The government has made progress on other key areas including holding talks with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been allowed to stand in an April byelection, and released hundreds of political prisoners.

In another development, at least 34 Chinese journalists were jailed last year for charges ranging from “inciting subversion” to “revealing state secrets”, a rights group said yesterday, as Beijing tightened media restrictions.

Investigative journalism in China has gained strength in recent years, despite a strict censorship system aimed at rooting out information deemed a threat to the ruling Communist Party.

But in its annual repor t, the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said “censorship restrictions continue to pose a threat to journalists whose repor ting oversteps official guidelines.” “Ambiguous ‘inciting subversion’ and ‘revealing state secrets’ laws contributed to the imprisonment of at least 34 Chinese journalists,” the group said. It cited the example of Qi Chonghuai, whose original four-year jail sen-

tence in 2008 for “extortion and blackmail” after he exposed government corruption in the eastern province of Shandong was extended by eight years last year.

The state -run All-China Journalists Association was not available for comment when contacted by AFP. The report comes a day after an international journalists’ association said China had tightened restrictions on the media in 2011 in response to domestic calls for greater openness and popular uprisings in the Middle East.

Authorities last year were spooked by anonymous online calls for people to take part in Arab-style protests in China in a so-called Jasmine Revolution, and are also jittery about an upcoming leadership transition in 2012. In a move that sparked huge concern in the media world in July, the China Economic Times-one of China’s leading newspapers-shut down its respected investigative unit.

Later that year, China’s propaganda authorities placed two of Beijing’s most popular and colourful newspapers-the Beijing News and the Beijing Times under new management, in what critics said was a bid to censor the news. HRW said in its report that physical violence against journalists who reported on sensitive topics also remained a problem last year. In September, Li Xiang, a 30-year-old reporter in the central province of Henan, was murdered in a crime widely believed to be linked to him exposing a scandal involving the sale of tainted cooking oil. — Agencies

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

NEWS

ST JOSEPH, Michigan: Layers of ice and icicles slowly melt along the North Pier on Saturday. — AP

Oppn, pro-govt hopefuls clash Continued from Page 1 not need to obtain a license in Kuwait. They also said that they were only showing recorded programs prepared in Kuwait. Although the ministry could not close the station, Nilesat authorities yesterday pulled the plugs and stopped airing the station.

Meanwhile, the number of candidates running in the Feb 2 general elections dropped to 321 after 10 hopefuls pulled out of the race yesterday with just two days left for withdrawals. More candidates are expected to drop out of the race today and tomorrow before the door for withdrawals closes. Twenty-four women candidates, including all the former female MPs, are still in the race.

In a related matter, the administrative court yesterday

rejected a lawsuit filed by a number of voters calling for disqualifying ex-MP Khalaf Dumaitheer from running in the election. The voters from the second constituency, where Dumaitheer is bidding for re-election, told the court that the veteran former pro-government lawmaker was convicted by the cassation court in a forgery case which is a felony and accordingly must be disqualified.

Kuwaiti electoral law states that people who were convicted in crimes of dishonesty or a lack of integrity are barred from contesting the elections unless they have been rehabilitated. The interior ministry did not disqualify Dumaitheer among 15 candidates who were barred but later the court reinstated most of them. The most prominent among them was Islamist opposition ex-MP Faisal Al-Mislem.

CMA, HSBC ink deal to privatise bourse Continued from Page 1 Separately, two of Kuwait’s largest investment firms have cut nearly 100 jobs in cost-cutting measures, sources said yesterday, as they grapple with difficult market conditions. Kuwait’s Global Investment House has laid off 17 percent of its staff, or 60 employees out of 350, across the region as part of costcutting measures at the debt-laden firm, two sources said yesterday. Most of the job cuts at Global, which is in talks to restructure $1.7 billion in debt, will be in Kuwait, one of the sources said.

Meanwhile, Kipco Asset Management Co (KAMCO) has cut 39 positions out of a 120-strong workforce, two sources said. The departures

include the head of asset management at the Kuwaiti firm. KAMCO is a unit of the state’s largest investment company, Kuwait Projects Co. “The cuts have been pretty much across the board and no particular team or department has been spared,” one source said in reference to KAMCO. “There are some people who left before the redundancy plan. Obviously, the market conditions have not been helpful for most investment firms in the region and that has triggered the lay-offs.”

Kuwait is home to a large number of investment firms which were hard hit by the global financial crisis. That prompted the government of the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter to approve a $5 billion rescue package in 2009. In May, the Central Bank told

investment firms that they need to separate licences to operate their lending and investment businesses as it eliminates regulatory overlap with the market regulator.

A company spokesman at Global declined to comment yesterday. KAMCO officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Global Investment House had in December agreed with creditors to defer principal repayments on debt until June 10 to allow for a renegotiation of the $1.7 billion debt restructuring plan it agreed in 2009. Evercore Partners advised them on the restructuring process. At the end of September, Global, which reported a wider third quarter loss, had repaid $232.8 million of the total debt amount. — Agencies

‘Remorseful’ Saleh bids farewell, leaves...

Continued from Page 1 A senior GPC official, Sultan Al-Barakani, said last week that the president, who remains in office on an honorary basis, would travel abroad. “In the coming days, he will visit the sultanate of Oman and then Ethiopia before travelling to New York for treatment” for wounds he sustained in a bombing at the presidential palace last June, the official told AFP. “Once he has completed his treatment in New York, he will return to Yemen to continue leading the party.”

Saleh’s departure came a day after parliament adopted a law giving him “complete” immunity from prosecution in return for stepping down under a transition deal brokered by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. The law, which also grants limited immunity to his aides, has drawn wide condemnation from young protesters, who have seen hundreds of their compatriots killed by Saleh’s security forces and loyalists since the uprising against his rule broke out in January 2011. It has also been strongly criticised by Western rights groups and the United Nations.

Saleh in his farewell speech defended the law, saying that those who have benefited from it are “all those who have worked with the president during a 33-year-long rule”. “If there had been mistakes, then they were unintentional as the president has immunity from his own people to whom he had dedicated his life to serve for this nation,” Saleh said as he called for “reconciliation” in the country.

“The poor youths (who have continued) sit-ins for 11 months, go back to your homes and families and open up a new page with the new leadership. I feel sorry for you,” Saleh said. Parliament on Saturday also adopted a law approving Saleh’s long-time deputy, Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who appeared sitting next to the president during the speech, as the consensus candidate in the election for Saleh’s successor, due to be held on Feb 21.

After that date, Hadi is to be “handed over the presidential palace while Ali Abdullah Saleh will take his bag, bid farewell, and leave to his own home,” the Saba news agency quoted the veteran president as saying.

“I announce from here, out of respect and appreciation for Hadi’s stances and efforts, his promotion to the rank of marshal,” Saleh said. “I call onto all the people of the nation to cooperate with him (Hadi) and with the unity govern-

ment to correct and rebuild what has been destroyed during the past” year, the 69-year-old said. “I thank our people men and women for their honest stances and for all they have tolerated during 11 months of hunger, power cuts, and a lack of services as well as many other things. I salute these steadfast and heroic people,” he added.

The White House and the US State Department declined to comment yesterday. US officials have said the only reason Saleh will be admitted to the United States is for “legitimate” medical treatment for wounds sustained in the June attack. But such a trip would open the US to charges of harbouring a brutal ruler responsible for the deaths of hundreds of demonstrators, and seem to present a direct contradiction of its push for human rights. Officials believe the trip could get the long-time strongman out of Yemen to smooth the transition to the February elections. Analysts have said Saleh would face stringent conditions in return for admission to a New York hospital, possibly including a ban on media interviews to deprive him of a political platform.

At the capital’s airport, dozens of members of Yemen’s air force held a sit-in on the runway to demand the resignation of their commander, Saleh’s half-brother, accusing him of corruption. Air traffic was halted and riot police with water cannon surrounded the protesters, witnesses said.

Reports from a pro-revolution website run by Saleh’s archenemy, General Ali Mohsen, said about 600 members of the air force were participating in the sit-in.

In Sanaa, opposition groups not involved in the power transition deal brought thousands of their supporters onto the streets and questioned parliament’s authority to approve the immunity law. “We will continue protesting until all of the revolution’s goals are achieved,” said Mani AlMatari, a leader of a committee set up by youths who led the protests against Saleh. “The parliament has no legitimacy and (instead) we are holding on to international law.”

The immunity law does not give full protection to Saleh’s aides, leaving them vulnerable to prosecution for crimes considered “terrorist acts”. The law does, however, give them immunity for “politically motivated” crimes committed while carrying out official duties. Abroad, Saleh could find himself hounded by activists using national courts and international law to try to prosecute him over the killings of protesters and alleged corruption. — Agencies

Iran Gulf smugglers feel blowback from tensions KHASAB, Oman: By dawn, the unmarked speedboats from Iran pull into port. By dusk, they are racing back across the Strait of Hormuz loaded with smuggled consumer goods ranging from Chinese-made shoes to cut flowers from Holland. Even as sanctions squeeze Iran ever tighter, there’s one clandestine route that remains open for business: A short sea corridor across the Arabian Gulf connecting a rocky nub of Oman and the Iranian coast about 60 km away.

Yet even this established smugglers’ path is now feeling the bite from the pressures on Iran over its nuclear program.

Business is sharply down, the middlemen and boat crews say, as the slumping Iranian currency leaves fewer customers for the smuggled wares. At the same time, the risks of interception are higher as Iranian authorities step up patrols near the strategic oil tanker lanes at the mouth of the Gulf.

The strait, which is the only access in and out of the Gulf, has been the scene of Cold War-style brinksmanship between Iran and the West after Tehran last month threatened to block the passageway for about one-sixth of the world’s oil in retaliation for new US sanctions. “We used to make two or three trips across every day. Now, it’s maybe one,” said an Iranian middleman, who gave only his first name Agheel to protect his identity from authorities in his homeland. He watched crews load up a pickup truck with bolts of fabric from Pakistan and table-size boxes of cut flowers from the Netherlands, before the trucks headed off through the treeless mountains to Khasab port.

The operation smuggles in merchandise to avoid Iranian tariffs and to bring in American and European products that have disappeared from Iranian markets because of international sanctions. Experts note that the consumer items post no real challenge to efforts to block material with military or nuclear uses. “Still, it shows you can’t close off all channels into Iran no matter how hard you try,” said Paul Rogers, who follows security affairs at Bradford University in Britain. “People will find a way.”

On this side of the Gulf, the smugglers operate under a tacit tolerance from authorities, even though Oman and the United Arab Emirates are close US allies and have pledged to enforce sanctions. The port lies in a sparsely populated peninsula enclave belonging to Oman but encircled on land by the UAE, a legacy of how the area was carved up in the final days of British rule here in the last century that resulted in Oman holding joint control with Iran over the strait.

The goods are legally imported into the UAE and truck drivers take them across the border, paying the customary 50 dirham ($13.50) entry fee, according to the smugglers interviewed by The Associated Press. In Khasab, the merchandise is taken to warehouses and then piled on the docks less than 100 m from the port police headquarters. Omani authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the traffic.

The Khasab speedboats are far from the only back channel into Iran. Drug traffickers easily cross the hinterland borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, and black market networks stretch across the frontiers with Iraq and Turkey. Authorities in Iraq’s Kurdish region have been under pressure for years to

crack down on fuel trucks heading into Iran in violation of US sanctions. But Khasab stands out for its openness and for lying on the highly sensitive Strait. A shipment arranged by the Iranian smuggler Agheel this week was done with practiced efficiency.

A pickup truck backed into a wood-floored warehouse with hundreds of cases of cigarettes bundled three together and wrapped tightly in gray plastic weave in total 3,000 cigarettes under south Asian brands such as Ruby Menthol. The truck was soon sagging under the weight of boxes piled five high. Agheel did some quick calculations: Each three-case load cost him about $1,200 and he could sell them to merchants in Iran for the equivalent of about $1,350 under current exchange rates. The truck pulling out of the warehouse represented a potential return of about $4,500. “If we don’t get caught,” he added.

The smugglers have their ways of avoiding Iranian authorities. Spotters off the coast - on the island of Qeshm and near the port of Bandar Abbas - call in coast guard movements to Khasab. The speedboat drivers keep close attention to the water conditions on the Strait and try to approach the Iranian coast just after sunset. The trip can take as little as 90 minutes in calm seas and up to four hours in rough water in the stripped down stripped-down 5-m fiberglass boats.

Agheel’s truck passed through the Khasab customs station at midday and then down a strip of hardscrabble road.

At the port - almost in the shadow of a Costa cruise ship making a day stop - dozens of boats were being packed and secured for the trip. There were no names or markings on the speedboats. But the items loaded on carried familiar logos: LG 42-inch flatscreen TVs, Discovery Channel DVDs, Panasonic microwaves, Yamaha motorcycle parts. Also in the stacks were textiles, satellite dishes and Chinese-made clothes and shoes.

One boat driver, who gave his name only as Aziz, had a breakfast of eggs, beans and Mountain Dew as he waited for the day’s shipment to be loaded for the return run to Qeshm, a long arrow-shaped island near the Iranian coast and a main waystation for the smugglers. Months ago, he could make as many trips as possible because the merchants in Iran were demanding goods. But now the struggling Iranian rial dragged down partly by US-led sanctions that could target Iran’s Central Bank - has put many things out of reach for Iranians, he said. “No one wants to buy because the (rial) rate is not stable,” he said.

He also said the Iranian coastal patrols have been boosted amid the escalating tensions over the Strait. On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the American military is “fully prepared” to deal with any Iranian effort to close the waterway. Next month, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard plans naval exercises in the area. If spotted by patrols, Aziz said the two-man boat crews try to heave the goods overboard. They then must pay back the smuggling network, which can amount to thousands of dollars. But it’s worth the risk, he said. “The situation is getting worse now,” he said. “All the prices are up and Qeshm has nothing else” except smuggling. — AP

Legendary US football coach Paterno dies Continued from Page 1 He was sacked in November for failing to take tougher action against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky after being told about an incident in a locker room shower in which Sandusky allegedly molested a 10year-old boy. Sandusky, on the Penn State staff from 1969 through 1999, is facing trial after being accused of more than 50 counts of molesting 10 boys over an 11-year period. He has denied the charges.

Despite the scandal, huge affection remained for Paterno on the Penn State campus at State College, which his influence helped build into a place its residents called “Happy Valley”. “His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them,” his family said. “He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players

and his community.” The university in a statement grieved the death of “a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football.”

Students and other admirers had gathered on Saturday night in an impromptu vigil on the campus after the Paterno family confirmed the coach’s health was deteriorating.

Paterno sons Jay and Scott used Twitter on Saturday night to deny reports their father had died. The Washington Post reported that Paterno had been breathing with the aid of a ventilator until yesterday, and that the family had informed the hospital of his wishes not to be kept alive through extreme artificial measures.

A statue of Paterno at the campus stadium was surrounded yesterday

morning by flowers and mementos.

“He was more than half the reason I came here because of who he is,” said Katie Chwastyk, 21, a senior with tears streaming down her face and wearing a Penn State football sweatshirt.

Wearing a Penn State knit cap, freshman Cara Kirman, 19, of Harrisburg called Paterno “a father figure” and said, “In my mind, he is always going to be alive... It’s a very sad day.”

“In the minds of PSU students and alums, Joe represents what we all want to be -the icon who lives next door,” said Andrew Scherff, a 1999 graduate who is now an adjunct professor at a Penn State satellite campus. “Humble enough to hand out Halloween candy with his wife of 50 years, in the house he has lived in for 50 years, going to the same job for 50 years, who also just so happens to be one of the most recognizable men in America.” — Agencies

14

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

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Issues

Pak hurtling towards polls

By Nasir Jaffry akistan’s government has won temporary respite in its bid to cling onto office but early polls are inevitable as the army and judiciary plot to bring down the unpopular president, analysts say. The power struggle between Asif Ali Zardari’s government on the one hand and the courts and military on the other is by any standards toxic - even in a nuclear-armed country as perennially on the brink of crisis as Pakistan. No elected government in the history of the country has survived a full term in office and almost from inception the daggers have been drawn for the Pakistan People’s Party administration, led by the most unlikely of presidents.

Yet Zardari has survived nearly four years through nous and cunning. Polls in 2012 may satisfy an army desperate to see the back of Zardari but his prime minister has already become the longest-serving civilian premier in Pakistan. “2012 is election year,” says political analyst and author Imtiaz Gul, regardless of whether Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani survives contempt proceedings initiated by the Supreme Court. Millions of voters are fed up with crippling energy cuts, inflation and unemployment, and exhausted by the unpopular US alliance that is blamed for much of the Taleban and Al-Qaedalinked violence sweeping the country. “All political parties want early elections,” said Gul. “There is economic crisis and social instability and the government will therefore see early elections as the only way out.”

The Supreme Court judges demanding that Zardari be reinvestigated for graft in Switzerland could ultimately decide to convict Gilani of contempt, sentence him to jail and disqualify him - as well as Zardari - from office. The president is also under pressure from a judicial investigation into a secretive memo seeking to overhaul the military leadership after the army was humiliated by a covert American operation on May 2 that killed Osama bin Laden. But the court’s decision to adjourn until Feb 1 has bought the government at least two weeks’ reprieve after Gilani was summoned to face contempt charges on Thursday.

Opinion is divided on whether the Supreme Court was victorious in forcing the government to accept its authority or whether the prime minister emerged triumphant by standing his ground and refusing to apologise. Gilani faced down a demand to ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against Zardari by insisting that the president has full immunity, but the prime minister has gone out of his way to show deference to the courts.

“We respect the judiciary and their mandate and we will respect whatever courts decide in this regard,” Gilani told reporters on Friday. “The crisis has been averted - for now,” said Pakistan’s well-regarded English broadsheet Dawn. “Both Zardari and Gilani have kept their nerve,” Ayaz Amir, a lawmaker for the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N party, wrote in The News, before comparing Zardari favourably to much-lauded prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “Zardari... is a far better politician than him. Bhutto had a knack for making enemies. Zardari has a knack for making friends and keeping them on his side,” Amir wrote.

Analysts are divided on whether the court will accept the government’s position on immunity, force its hand or whether a compromise can be reached in the wording of a letter written to the Swiss authorities. Most believe a solution can be found, saving Gilani the ignominy of being convicted for contempt. Pakistan has been under military dictatorships for about half its history since independence in 1947, with civilian leaders thrown out in three coups. But while the military - angry with government ineptitude and still reeling from the bin Laden fiasco - appears to have decided Zardari has to go, observers say there is no suggestion of another coup in the offing.

Instead the powerful military seems content to engineer elections by building pressure on the government from behind the scenes and watch the rise of political contender Imran Khan, rumoured to be the army’s choice. What remains to be seen is how long the government can survive, under what circumstances and when it will be finally forced to call elections which are not due until the beginning of 2013. Few believe the Supreme Court, government or military want elections before April’s expected completion of electoral roll reform that offers the prospect of significantly cleaner polls.

Pakistan’s blazing summer starts early and elections have never been held during the hottest months, making September or October the most likely date. — AFP

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As region changes, Hamas shifts

By Selim Saheb Ettaba

uffeted by the winds of the Arab Spring, the Hamas movement is transforming, with power shifting from its exiled leadership towards its government on the ground in Gaza, analysts say. Recent months have seen the group forced to deal with the new regional realities created by the Arab uprisings, including the increasingly precarious situation in Damascus, where its leadership-in-exile is based.

The group has also moved towards reconciliation with its longtime rival Fatah, and its chief Khaled Meshaal has talked about the need to focus on peaceful protest.

But the shifts have created a new tension within the Islamist group, with the Gaza leadership appearing increasingly emboldened to voice differences of opinion with Meshaal and the leadership -in- exile. On Saturday, Hamas announced that Meshaal did not plan to stand for reelection to the head of the movement, a decision that comes as the group experiences a fundamental reshaping, according to Omar Shaban, director of the Gaza-based Palthink think-tank. “Hamas is going through a transformational process,” he told AFP, attributing the movement’s reshaping to both internal and external

B

factors. On the internal front, according to Shaban, some within the movement’s Gaza-based leadership believe Hamas has suffered as a result of being charged with improving the lives of 1.3 million people in Gaza. Ex ternally, Shaban says, Hamas is caught between the differing fates of the Muslim Brotherhood - the organisation that gave birth to Hamas - in Egypt and Syria. Hamas is caught between “the hope of Egypt ”, where the Muslim Brotherhood has swept democratic elections, and “the pressure of Syria”, where a government crackdown is targeting activists, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The situation in Syria has been particularly problematic for Hamas, which is eager to avoid being seen as interfering in internal issues, but also finds it hard to see the Muslim Brotherhood being targeted. “The atrocities of the Syrian regime are inflic ted on the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas is no longer able to maintain its presence in Damascus,” said Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a professor of political science at Gaza’s Al Azhar University.

Internal rumblings and ex ternal pressures have helped create a situation in which Meshaal, long considered a radical, now appears more pragmatic than Hamas’s Gaza leadership, Abu

Saada said. “When Meshaal was getting complete suppor t from the Syrian regime, from Iran, he connected himself with this camp, so he could not make compromises,” he said.

But the peaceful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, along with his detachment from Iran and Syria, appear to have shifted Meshaal’s thinking, convincing him that peaceful “popular resistance” can be effective.” That is something new,” Abu Saada said, acknowledging that “there has been no consensus within Hamas regarding this issue”. Mahmud Zahar, one of Gaza’s senior Hamas officials, notably responded that “armed resistance can be popular”. Zahar’s willingness to challenge Meshaal, on issues ranging from resistance to reconciliation, are another sign of the shifting dynamics in the movement, Abu Saada said. “ The balance of power is shifting from outside to inside. Hamas’s leadership in Gaza is on its own territory,” he said, noting Hamas in Gaza is increasingly less dependent on regional aid.

The Hamas government has a 2012 budget worth $769 million, a 22 percent increase over 2011, based on an expected intake of $174 million dollars in tariffs and taxes, particularly from the flourishing Egypt-Gaza tunnel industry.

The Hamas government is also

wielding the freedom of movement that has come with Egypt’s decision to open its border with Gaza.

Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya has already completed one major tour to Egypt, Sudan, Turkey and Tunisia his first since taking office. He is reportedly considering a second trip soon, with stops in Qatar and Iran.

“Haniya’s visit has halted the political siege on G aza,” said Walid AlMudallal, a political science professor at the Islamic University of Gaza, noting the movement’s parliamentary delegation visit last week to Switzerland to take part in the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting. According to Mudallal, “Hamas is closing the gap with the Palestinian consensus to achieve reconciliation, and to be able to deal with the international community.”

One wildcard in the movement ’s transformation is the future role of its powerful armed wing, the Ezzedine alQassam Brigades, once considered largely under M eshaal ’s direc tion.

According to Abu Saada, that allegiance could be shifting. “ The armed wing of Hamas, Ezzedine al-Qassam, gives loyalty to whoever is giving the money to pay for the weapons,” he said. “Ezzedine alQassam has been showing more loyalty to the Hamas in Gaza.” — AFP

Gingrich bloodies Romney in White House fight

By Olivier Knox epublican White House hopeful Newt Gingrich’s shock victory in South Carolina’s pivotal primary Saturday makes him the sharpest conservative threat to longtime favorite Mitt Romney. The pugnacious former House speaker ignited conservative passions fueled by feisty debate performances to torch the former Massachusetts governor and multi-millionaire investor’s vaunted campaign riches and well-oiled machine.

Gingrich, repeatedly declared politically dead over the past year, must now harness his political momentum heading into the vital battleground of Florida, a more diverse state where Romney’s weapons were expected to give him the edge. Gingrich cast his insurgent victory here as a coup for Americans “who feel that the elites in Washington and New York have no understanding, no care, no concern, no reliability and in fact do not represent them at all.”

The result here was a heavy symbolic blow to Romney: No Republican since 1980 has won the nomination without carrying this conservative bastion, now home to prominent leaders of the “ Tea Party ” movement. And it was the first time that different candidates have carried the first three nominating contests Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina - highlighting the volatile nature of the race. But “beyond the media impact, and some momentum, the fundamentals - money, organization, and endorsements signifying establishment support - still favor Romney,” said Matt Dickinson, a political scientist at elite Middlebury College.

Still, after benefiting from seeing

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conservative voters fractured among several candidates, Romney could face a real threat if Gingrich manages to “establish himself as the anti-Mitt,” Dickinson told AFP. Over the past year, conservatives have rallied at various points behind candidates sometimes dubbed “not-Romney,” only to see them flame out, while Romney has struggled to push his support above 25 percent of Republicans.

“This race is getting to be even more interesting,” Romney told cheering supporters packed into a room dressed up as though for a victory rally before congratulating Gingrich for “a hard-fought campaign”. “I don’t shrink from competition. I embrace it. I believe competition makes us all better. I know it’s making our campaign stronger,” he added, as his campaign readied to travel to Florida on Sunday.

There were signs Romney’s once-substantial advantage at the national level may also be shrinking, with pollsters Gallup saying Friday that his US-wide lead over Gingrich plummeted to 30-20 percent, compared with 37-14 a week earlier. “The safe money says Romney still wins this,” said Dickinson. But “his biggest liability is him. The more voters look at him, the less they like.” The Republican party e s t a b l i s h m e n t ’s favorite has “an ‘authenticity’ problem’ among conservatives,” who regard his moderate record as liberal Massachusetts’ governor with suspicion, said Dickinson.

But so far he has benefited from the fractured conservative field. Christian conservative former senator Rick Santorum and Representative Ron Paul of Texas, a small-government champion and foe of overseas military interventions, were projected to come in third

and fourth, US media said. Paul, backed by a devoted army of mostly young supporters, and Santorum, whose narrow victory in Iowa has helped his fundraising efforts, all planned to soldier on in Florida, which holds its primary on Jan 31.

The impact of an extended Republican primary is hotly debated: Some in the party fear a “circular firing squad” that will leave the eventual nominee bloodied, while others say the process trains and toughens the survivor. Romney aides have made the argument that charges he won his vast fortune while firing workers are better aired and addressed in the primary, though they will inevitably be weapons in President Barack Obama’s general election arsenal. Romney said Gingrich’s attacks on his business record were a “frontal assault on free enterprise” and its supporters, telling the crowd “he’s attacking you” and warning such a candidate was “not going to be fit to be our nominee”. They also argue that Gingrich’s bomb-throwing style will alienate independent voters thought to decide US elections.

But there were signs of concern: After floating the idea that he might skip the debates in Florida, his campaign said he would take part. That makes the televised Florida face-offs “very critical,” said Susan MacManus, a professor of political science at the University of South Florida. “Republicans are well aware, not just Florida Republicans, but elsewhere, that if a Republican candidate cannot win Florida they will probably not going to win the White House,” she said. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

sp orts

Kagawa sees future with Dortmund BERLIN: Japan winger Shinji Kagawa has said he sees his future being with German champions Borussia Dortmund and any reports of a move to European giants Manchester United or AC Milan are just speculation.

“Right now, it’s just about me being successful here with Dortmund,” Kagawa told German newspaper Die Welt on Sunday having been linked to both European teams in the German and Japanese media in recent months.

“There are rumours (about Manchester United or AC Milan) again and again, but I have no information about that. The talk leaves me cold.” The 22-year-old joined Dortmund in 2010 from Japan side Cerezo Osaka for just 350,000 euros, but after helping Dortmund win the German title last season, his market value has soared to around 14 million euros. He has a contract at Dortmund until 2013 and is back in form after missing the first few months of 2011 after breaking his foot while playing for Japan at the Asian Cup last January. — AFP

NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Saturday. NY Rangers 3, Boston 2 (OT ); Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 1; Vancouver 4, San Jose 3; Anaheim 2, Ottawa 1; Florida 4, Winnipeg 3 (So); Montreal 3, Toronto 1; NY Islanders 2, Carolina 1 (OT); Detroit 3, Columbus 2 (So); St. Louis 4, Buffalo 2; Nashville 5, Chicago 2; Tampa Bay 4, Phoenix 3; Minnesota 5, Dallas 2; Calgary 6, Edmonton 2; Colorado 3, Los Angeles 1. (OT denotes overtime win) (SO denotes shootout win) Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS 30 12 4 129 96 64 NY Rangers Philadelphia 28 14 4 154 134 60 Pittsburgh 26 17 4 145 122 56 New Jersey 26 19 2 128 134 54 NY Islanders 19 21 6 112 136 44 Northeast Division Boston 30 13 2 162 92 62 Ottawa 27 17 6 154 153 60 Toronto 23 19 5 144 144 51 Montreal 18 21 9 123 132 45 Buffalo 19 24 5 117 148 43 Southeast Division Florida 22 15 10 120 133 54 Washington 25 19 2 128 130 52 Winnipeg 22 20 6 123 138 50 Tampa Bay 20 23 4 132 163 44 Carolina 17 24 9 128 158 43 Western Conference Central Division Detroit 32 15 1 155 109 65 St Louis 29 12 6 121 96 64 Chicago 29 14 6 161 141 64 Nashville 28 16 4 133 125 60 Columbus 13 28 6 112 155 32 Northwest Division Vancouver 29 15 4 155 120 62 Colorado 26 21 2 127 138 54 Minnesota 23 18 7 112 124 53 Calgary 23 20 6 120 136 52 Edmonton 17 26 4 118 138 38 Pacific Division San Jose 26 14 5 129 108 57 Los Angeles 23 16 10 107 110 56 Dallas 24 21 2 125 136 50 Phoenix 21 20 8 127 132 50 Anaheim 17 22 7 121 141 41 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

MONACO: French driver Sebastien Loeb poses after winning the Monte-Carlo Rallye’s 80th edition, opening event of the WRC championship yesterday in Monaco. — AFP

Loeb wins Monte Carlo rally MONACO: Reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb of France in a Citroen won the Monte Carlo rally for the sixth time yesterday to take up where he left off last season atop the World Rally Championship standings (WRC).

In what was the opening leg of the 2012 WRC season, Loeb triumphed ahead of Dani Sordi of Spain (Mini) and Petter Solberg of Norway (Ford Fiesta). It was the 68th rally win of his exceptional career.

The race, the 80th running of the Monte Carlo Rally, marked its return to the WRC stage after three seasons in the rival IRC camp. Loeb has won the last eight rally world titles and is a hot favourite to make it nine in a row this year.

Recently voted as the most popular sportsman in France, Loeb, who hails from Alsace in eastern France, opened the final day poised to grab overall victory having led the classic rally race from the start. And he made no mistake by winning the closing five kilometre-long power stage on the Col de la Madone, high above Monte Carlo, which accorded him three extra points points to take him to 28 points for the race. — AFP

Berdych booed

Keita doubtful for Mali opener FRANCEVILLE: Captain Seydou Keita could miss Mali’s opening match at the African Nations Cup finals as injury concerns mounted for coach Alain Giresse yesterday.

Team officials said the Barcelona midfielder, runner-up in the recent African Footballer of the Year poll, has a knee complaint and sprained ankle and is battling against time to be ready for Tuesday ’s Group D game against Guinea in Franceville.

Cheick Tidiane Diabate, the Girondins Bordeaux for ward expected to be Giresse’s first choice in attack, has a hamstring injury likely to keep him out of the game. Mahamane Traore, the midfielder from Ligue 2 club

Metz, has still not recovered from a calf strain that limited his participation in the pre-tournament preparations.

Mali have already lost four players to injury ahead of the tournament.

French-based defenders Adama Coulibaly and Amadou Sidibe were ruled out of selection and both Mohamed Fofana and Khalilou Traore had to withdraw after being selected last week for the final 23-man squad.

Keita only recently returned from self-imposed exile from th e M a l i s i d e a f te r t he l a s t Nations Cup, persuaded back by Giresse after previously complaining of poor treatment by officials. — Reuters

MELBOURNE: After winning a grueling, tightly contested match that lasted nearly four hours, Tomas Berdych didn’t expect to be met by a stadium full of booing and hisses. Berdych, the seventh seed from Czech Republic, was jeered by the crowd for refusing to shake hands with his opponent, No. 10 seed Nicolas Almagro, because he believed the Spaniard had deliberately struck him with a ball during a point at the end of the fourth set.

Berdych was initially cheered by the spectators at Hisense Arena following his 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) win in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday, but the crowd turned on him in an instant when he refused to shake Almagro’s hand at the net. The booing drowned out his postmatch, on-court interview and continued until he walked off. “I think when you have a point and someone wants to hit you straight to your face, I don’t see this as a nice moment,” Berdych said during the interview, struggling to be heard over the noise from the crowd. — AP

Rangers beat Bruins in top table NHL showdown Red Wings win 16th consecutive home game BOSTON: Marian Gaborik scored twice, the second on a third-try backhander with 3.6 seconds left in overtime, as the New York Rangers beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in a matchup of the top two NHL teams in the Eastern Conference on Saturday.

Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves for the Rangers. Ryan Callahan also scored for the Rangers, who lead the East.

Tuukka Rask stopped 30 shots for the Bruins, who played most of the overtime down a man, 4-on-3, after Andrew Ference drew a five-minute major for driving defenseman Ryan McDonagh into the boards and was ejected. Ference scored his fourth goal of the season and second in two games for the Bruins.

Detroit their 16th straight home victory, 3-2 over Columbus. The 16-game home winning streak tied Detroit with the 1975-76 Boston Bruins for the fourthlongest home winning streak in NHL history. Niklas Kronwall and Nicklas Lidstrom scored for the Red Wings in regulation, and Jimmy Howard made 17 saves. Ryan Russell and Nikita Nikitin scored for Columbus, and Curtis Sanford stopped 29 shots.

Canadiens 3, Maple Leafs 1 At Toronto, Carey Price made 32 saves,

last eight and 10 of 12. Nashville also ended Chicago’s winning streak at three.

The Blackhawks have earned points in seven straight games. Craig Smith and Colin Wilson also scored, and Pekka Rinne made 20 saves for Nashville.

Marian Hossa scored twice for Chicago.

Blues 4, Sabres 2 At St. Louis, David Backes had two goals and two assists, and Jaroslav Halak made 19 saves to lift St. Louis over Buffalo. The Blues are 8-0-1 in January, earning 17 of 18 points, and Halak is 11-

over Dallas. Dany Heatley added a goal and two assists, and Devin Setoguchi also scored for Minnesota (23-18-7), 311-4 over the past 18 games. Josh Harding made 22 saves. Eric Nystrom and Philip Larsen scored for the Stars (24-212), who are 1-5-1 the last seven games.

Kari Lehtonen, who was pulled after giving up four second-period goals, made 15 saves. Richard Bachman stopped six shots in the third period for the Stars.

Flames 6, Oilers 2 At Edmonton, Alberta, Lee Stempniak

Flyers 4, Devils 1 At Newark, New Jersey, Scott Hartnell scored two power-play goals, and Wayne Simmonds had a goal and two assists, leading Philadelphia over New Jersey.

The Flyers remained four points behind the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.

The Devils lost for the second straight time in the middle of a six-game homestand. Hartnell scored in the second and third periods. Simmonds assisted on Hartnell’s first goal and on Matt Read’s second-period tally, and then added an empty-netter. Ilya Bryzgalov made 30 saves to earn his 18th win of the season.

The Flyers lost forward Jaromir Jagr to an undisclosed lower body injury in the first period.

Ducks 2, Senators 1 At Anaheim, California, Jonas Hiller made 31 saves, Corey Perry scored, and Lubomir Visnovsky was credited with a goal that Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson deflected into his own net during Anaheim’s victory. The Ducks (17-22-7) are 7-0-1 in their last eight and 10-9-3 since Bruce Boudreau took over from fired coach Randy Carlyle on Nov. 30.

Craig Anderson made 27 saves for the Senators, who got their only goal at 8:51 of the third period. Chris Neil, playing in his 700th NHL regular-season game, converted his own rebound. Ottawa, which lost for the third time in 13 games, had earned at least one point in a clubrecord, 11 straight road games.

Canucks 4, Sharks 3 At Vancouver,British Columbia, Cody Hodgson scored his second goal of the game with 4:17 left in Vancouver’s victory over San Jose. Ryan Kesler and David Booth also scored for Vancouver (29-154), which is 1-1-1 halfway through its sixgame home series. Logan Couture scored a short-handed goal and added another in a power-play, and Dan Boyle also had a goal for the depleted Sharks (26-14-5), who were without top-six forwards Martin Havlat (hamstring) and Ryane Clowe (facial injury).

With the game tied 2-2 late in the third period, the teams combined for three goals in a span of 1:32.

Islanders 2, Hurricanes 1 At Uniondale, New York, John Tavares scored his second goal of the game 3:58 into overtime to help New York to its third straight win. Tavares scored his 19th goal of the season after extending his career-best point streak to 12 games with a second-period goal. Tavares has eight goals and 13 assists during his streak, the longest in the NHL this season. Evgeni Nabokov stopped 32 shots for the Islanders (19-21-6), who have won four of five and five of seven. It was also the fourth straight win for Nabokov, a season high for Islanders goalies.

Jeff Skinner gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Islanders won at Philadelphia and Washington this week after losing at home to Nashville today.

Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 2 At Detroit, Valtteri Filppula scored in the fourth round of a shootout to give

WINNIPEG: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets and Matt Bradley #22 of the Florida Panthers collide on the ice in NHL action at the MTS Centre on Saturday, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. — AFP and Rafael Diaz and Lars Eller scored third-period goals in Montreal’s victory over Toronto. Rene Bourque also scored for the Canadiens, coming off a 5-4 loss in Pittsburgh on Friday night. Matthew Lombardi scored for the Maple Leafs.

Panthers 4, Jets 3, SO At Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kris Versteeg scored two goals and added an assist for Florida, which ended an eight-game, road-losing streak with a shootout win over Winnipeg. Mikael Samuelsson scored the Panthers’ winning goal of the shootout, which used 14 skaters. Mike Santorelli also scored in regulation for Florida (22-15-10), which also ended a four-game losing streak. Winnipeg (2220-6) got two goals from Nik Antropov, Alexander Burmistrov added one, and Kyle Wellwood had two assists. Scott Clemmensen stopped 41 shots for the win. Winnipeg’s Ondrej Pavelec made 23 saves.

Predators 5, Blackhawks 2 At Nashville, Tennessee, Sergei Kostitsyn, Kevin Klein and Patric Hornqvist each had a goal and an assist to help Nashville beat Chicago.

The Predators have won seven of their

0-3 in his past 14 starts. St. Louis is an NHL-best 21-3-3 at home and has 64 points overall, one fewer than Western Conference-leading Detroit. Buffalo, which dropped its 12th straight on the road and fifth in a row overall, is 2-7-1 in January. B.J. Crombeen and David Perron also scored for the Blues, and Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie each added two assists for St. Louis. Ryan Miller made 23 saves for Buffalo, which got goals from Mike Weber and Tyler Myers.

Lightning 4, Coyotes 3 At Glendale, Arizona, Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 32nd goal, Martin St. Louis and Steve Downie each had a goal and an assist, and Tampa Bay beat Phoenix for its third straight victory.

Dwayne Roloson made 33 saves and improved to 7-10-2 with his first win since Nov. 17 against Pittsburgh.

Teddy Purcell also scored for Tampa Bay. Lauri Korpikoski, Keith Yandle and Ray Whitney scored for Phoenix.

Wild 5, Stars 2 At St. Paul, Minnesota, Cal Clutterbuck, Chad Rau and Kyle Brodziak scored goals during a 59-second span of the second period in Minnesota’s win

scored a hat trick and added an assist to lead Calgary’s rout of Edmonton.

Blake Comeau and Jay Bouwmeester each had a goal and two assists, and Mikael Backlund also scored for Calgary.

The Flames are 5-1-1 in their last seven games to improve to 23-20 -6. Andy Sutton and Ryan Smyth scored for Edmonton. The Oilers are 17-26-4. They have only one win in their last nine games and just five of their last 25 outings.

Avalanche 3, Kings 1 At Los Angeles, Peter Mueller scored the winning goal in the fifth game of his inspirational comeback, Cody McLeod scored on a breakaway and JeanSebastien Giguere made 25 saves, leading Colorado over Los Angeles.

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick came up short on his 26th birthday after stopping 28 shots. Colorado’s other goal was by Gabriel Landeskog on a power play with 1:57 to play. The Kings have scored fewer than three goals in 20 of Quick’s 21 losses this season, including overtimes and shootouts. The regulation loss was only the second by the Kings in 16 games since Darryl Sutter replaced Terry Murray as coach (8-2-6). — AP

16

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

S P ORT S

Stenson resists urge to comeback from injury DUBAI: Henrik Stenson is in no hurry to rush back into action after undergoing knee surgery late last year, the Swede resisting the temptation to play at next week’s Abu Dhabi Championship if he is not ready to compete.

The 36-year old world number 216 underwent keyhole surgery on his left leg in Stockholm and has been slowly working his way back to fitness by practicing at the Emirates Club in Dubai.

“The knee seems to be okay but then there is a few things I still can’t do, like

squatting down, so I can only do half squats in reading putts,” he told Reuters.

“It means for the time being, that I am putting most of my weight on my right knee.

“But it was an operation that I needed to have done and I have been fortunate in my career not to have had any real serious injuries like a lot of players.

“However, while I want to be competing in Abu Dhabi later this week, in an event with such a great field and huge world ranking points, I won’t be tempted to

rush back onto the tour and will consult with specialists before deciding to tee up.”

Stenson has not competed since November’s European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Iskander Johor Open, where his 48th place finish saw him end 2011 down in 136th place in the Race to Dubai for his poorest European season in a decade.

“Last year was very disappointing with just one top-10 in 14 events and I hadn’t played that poorly since 2002,”

Stenson added. “I haven’t won on the European Tour since 2007 and my last victory on the PGA Tour was the Players Championship in 2009.

“I’m exempt on the European Tour and my Sawgrass win means I am still exempt on the PGA Tour. Like any player, when you win a number of big tournaments like I have, you miss winning.

“If I can start playing solid again and get those processes working again I am very confident I can get myself up the world rankings and back into the

majors and WGC ( World Colf Championships) events for the next five or six years.”

Stenson does have an exemption for the US Masters in April courtesy of his Players Championship win but his ranking is not high enough to guaranteee him a spot in the other three majors. “I will need to play well at the Qatar Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic to give myself chance of getting back inside the top-64 to at least play in next month’s WGC Match Play Championship,” he said. —Reuters

Bosh bags 30 as Heat torch 76ers Ex-Knick Gallinari leads Denver to victory MIAMI: Chris Bosh scored 30 points, LeBron James added 28 points and nine rebounds and the Miami Heat remained unbeaten without Dwyane Wade in the lineup this season, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 11392 on Saturday night.

Mario Chalmers scored 11 and Joel Anthony finished with nine points and nine rebounds for Miami,

Rookie Kyrie Irving scored 18 points to lead the Cavaliers, who have lost three straight and six of eight.

Pistons 94, Trail Blazers 91 At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Rodney Stuckey scored 28 points and Detroit won for only the second time in 12 games. Portland were down three

while Donte Greene and DeMarcus Cousins scored 19 apiece. Cousins also had 11 rebounds and Tyreke Evans had 13 points.

The Grizzlies led by only eight at halftime, but opened the second half with a 12-0 run to push the lead to 20.

The Kings trailed by as many as 39 in the fourth quarter.

at home and improved to an NBAbest 15-3 despite the absence of two starters and two key reserves. Richard Hamilton added a season-high 18 points for Chicago.

The Bulls played their fourth straight game without reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose (sprained left big toe). They also were missing starting center Joakim Noah, a late scratch because of a left ankle sprain.

Gerald Henderson Jr. led Charlotte with 22 points, but the Bobcats lost their fifth consecutive road game.

They have dropped nine of 10 overall.

Rockets 105, Spurs 102 At Houston, Kevin Martin scored 25 points, Kyle Lowry had 14 points and eight assists and Houston took advantage of Tim Duncan’s absence to beat San Antonio. Goran Dragic scored 14 and Samuel Dalembert added 12 points and a season-high six blocks for the Rockets, who have won six in a row.

Tony Parker had 24 points and a season-high 13 assists for the Spurs, who were playing their fourth game in five nights. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich rested Duncan, who played 25 minutes in Friday night’s loss to Sacramento. Tiago Splitter had a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. The Rockets shot 56 percent (44 of 79) to make up for the Spurs’ 43-32 edge in rebounds.

NEW ORLEANS: Dallas Mavericks power forward Lamar Odom, left, drives to the basket past New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday. The Mavericks won 83-81. —AP which outrebounded Philadelphia 52-31 and moved into a tie with Orlando for first in the Southeast Division. The Heat are 6-0 this season without Wade, who missed his third straight game with a sprained right ankle. Lou Williams scored 22 points and Evan Turner added 16 for Philadelphia, which has lost eight of nine against Miami since the start of last season, including a five-game defeat in the opening round of last season’s playoffs.

Hawks 121, Cavaliers 94 At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points and Atlanta responded from a disappoitning last outing to rout Cleveland. Johnson scored 19 of his points in the first half for Atlanta, which sat all its starters in the final quarter. Jannero Pargo, who opened the fourth with back-to-back 3-pointers, had a season-high 14 points. Jeff Teague added 14 points as the Hawks moved past Friday night’s 90-76 loss at Philadelphia. After the loss, which ended a four-game winning streak, coach Larry Drew said “It got tough for us and we quit.”

after Felton made two free throws with 37 seconds remaining. Stuckey missed a wild driving attempt, and Portland rebounded and called a timeout with 15.6 seconds left.

Jamal Crawford drove for a layup with 8.4 seconds to go, and Stuckey answered with a pair of free throws.

Detroit fouled Felton at midcourt, preventing Portland from trying a 3point attempt. He made both free throws, but Stuckey made two of his own with 4.4 seconds left for a threepoint lead. Raymond Felton lost control of the ball at midcourt as Portland was trying to tie it in the final seconds.

Grizzlies 128, Kings 95 At Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay had 23 points, Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo added 22 apiece and Memphis won their sixth straight.

Marc Gasol had 20 points on 8-of11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Marreese Speights contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds for Memphis. Jimmer Fredette led Sacramento with a season-high 20 points and six assists,

Thunder 84, Nets 74 At Newark, New Jersey, Kevin Durant had 20 points and a seasonhigh 15 rebounds as Oklahoma stifled New Jersey. Playing in his first game since signing a five-year, $80 million contract extension, Russell Westbrook added 21 points and six assists and James Harden had 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Coming off a loss to lowly Washington, Oklahoma City (13-3) limited New Jersey to 31 percent shooting from the field, including 3 of 23 from 3-point range. The Thunder also blocked 10 shots, with Serge Ibaka getting a season-high five.

Kris Humphries had 12 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Nets. Deron Williams and MarShon Brooks had 14 points apiece and Jordan Farmar added 13.

Bulls 95, Bobcats 89 At Chicago, Carlos Boozer scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to lead injury-depleted Chicago over struggling Charlotte. Luol Deng added 22 points and eight rebounds as the Bulls won their seventh straight

NBA results/standings NBA results and standings on Saturday.

Atlanta 121, Cleveland 94; Denver 119, NY Knicks 114 (OT); Detroit 94, Portland 91; Miami 113, Philadelphia 92; Oklahoma City 84, New Jersey 74; Chicago 95, Charlotte 89; Dallas 83, New Orleans 81; Houston 105, San Antonio 102; Memphis 128, Sacramento 95; Utah 108, Minnesota 98.

Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 13 3 .813 Philadelphia 11 5 .688 Denver 12 5 .706 1.5 NY Knicks 6 10 .375 5 Utah 10 5 .667 2.5 Boston 5 9 .357 5 Portland 9 7 .563 4 New Jersey 4 12 .250 7 Minnesota 7 9 .438 6 Toronto 4 12 .250 7 Pacific Division Central Division LA Clippers 8 5 .615 Chicago 15 3 .833 LA Lakers 10 7 .588 Indiana 10 4 .714 3 Phoenix 6 9 .400 3 Cleveland 6 9 .400 7.5 Sacramento 6 11 .353 4 Milwaukee 5 9 .357 8 Golden State 5 10 .333 4 Detroit 4 13 .235 10.5 Miami Orlando Atlanta Charlotte Washington

Southeast Division 11 4 .733 11 4 .733 12 5 .706 3 13 .188 2 13 .133

8.5 9

Memphis San Antonio Dallas Houston New Orleans

Southwest Division 9 6 .600 10 7 .588 10 7 .588 9 7 .563 3 13 .188

0.5 6.5

Mavericks 83, Hornets 81 At New Orleans, Lamar Odom scored 16 points in his first start of the season and Dallas overcame the absence of Dirk Nowitzki to send New Orleans to a seventh-straight loss. Delonte West scored 16, while Shawn Marion had 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for the Mavs. Jason Terry added 12 points, including two free throws in the final seconds that made it 83-80 before Jason Kidd made sure to foul Jarrett Jack before he could attempt a game-tying 3.

The foul gave Jack two free throws. He missed the second on purpose, but could not convert a quick putback for the tie. Emeka Okafor tied a season high with 16 points and grabbed a season-best 17 rebounds for New Orleans.

Nuggets 119, Knicks 114 At New York, Danilo Gallinari outplayed Carmelo Anthony in the first meeting since they were swapped in a blockbuster trade, scoring a career-high 37 points as Denver outlasted New York in double-overtime.

Al Harrington, another former Knicks forward, scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime for the Nuggets, allowing them to withstand Anthony’s attempt to rally the Knicks after his poor shooting had them behind until the final minutes of regulation. Anthony finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, missing 20 of 30 shots in the Knicks’ sixth straight loss. He missed 14 of his first 17 shots, then made his final four of regulation to nearly help New York pull it out. Anthony spent the first 7 1/2 years of his career with the Nuggets before they trading him to New York.

Jazz 108, Timberwolves 98 At Salt Lake City, Paul Millsap scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to power Utah past Minnesota. Matched up against Kevin Love, Millsap shot 6 of 7 in the final period on a variety of fall away jumpers and shots at the rim to help the Jazz win for the ninth time in 11 games. Ricky Rubio, who had 17 points and 11 assists, made a jumper with 5:01 to play to cut the Jazz lead to 100-96. But Minnesota ran out of gas one night after a dramatic win in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

The Timber wolves missed six straight shots and had two turnovers down the stretch as Millsap and the Jazz clinched the victory. —AP

BIARRITZ: Biarritz’s Imanol Harinordoquy, top, jumps for the ball during their Heineken European Cup rugby union match against Osprey in Biarritz, southwestern France, yesterday. —AP

Saracens preserve English honour in European Cup PARIS:- Saracens ensured there was one English representative in the last eight of the European Cup yesterday coming away unconvincing 26-20 winners over Italian side Treviso. The win ensured they finished top of Pool Five but while they are guaranteed a home draw in the quarter-finals their display in Italy will not have thrown up much for their opponents to fear as they were outplayed for most of the game.

Biarritz thrashed Ospreys 36-5 in the other pool match with their Zimbabwe-born American international wing Takudzwa Ngwenya scoring three of their five tries while Benoit Baby and former England international back Ian Balshaw got the other.

That saw them end on 18 points and holding onto a last eight place ahead of the final two games of the weekend in Pool Two as Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh, who have 17 points, host Racing-Metro and London Irish respectively.

Treviso scored the first try as No8 Robert Barbieri - born in Canada but selected for the Italy Six Nations squad - brushed aside Matt Stevens and former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer to touch down in the 13th minute Kris Burton converted to make it 7-3.

However, Saracens went back into the lead as South Africa-born England international lock lock Mouritz Botha - fed by Stringer - went over and was converted by Owen Farrell, who had opened the scoring with a penalty.

The hosts, though, were far from cowed by that and a sensational move prompted by Barbieri and involving Brendan Williams and

Italy fly-half Burton set up wing Tommaso Iannone who went in and Burton converted for 14-10. Burton was in impressive form and he edged them further ahead in the 26th minute with a drop goal and all Saracens could find in replay was a penalty from Farrell three minutes from the break which was also the moment that Irish referee Alain Rolland had to call it a day with a calf muscle injury.

However, they got themselves ahead from the second-half kick-off as wing David Strettle benefited from a block and he went over - Farrell converted to make it 20-17 to the visitors. Burton brought Treviso level shortly afterwards but Farrell showing the accuracy that has brought him an England call-up slotted a penalty of his own to make it 23-20.

The hosts, though, kept banging away and making inroads into the Saracens defence and were unfortunate to be denied a third try when South African scrum-half Tobias Botes touched down but it was ruled out after several minutes review for a Treviso infringement in the build-up.

Instead it was Saracens who extended their lead as Farrell added another penalty with 18 minutes remaining and just managed to hold on agaisnt some late Italian pressure. However, any cause for celebration will be dampened by their Scottish backrow forward Kelly Brown having to be taken to hospital after going off in the firsthalf with what looked like a serious injury and which could threaten his Six Nations campaign. —AFP

Deville wins slalom, Kostelic takes combined event KITZBUEHEL: Defending champion Ivica Kostelic returned to the top of the overall World Cup standings yesterday, after coming third in a men’s slalom won by Italy’s Cristian Deville. While main rival Marcel Hirscher of Austria went out in the second run, Kostelic racked up a total of 160 points in his bid for the title - 60 for the slalom result and 100 for winning the combined event, which adds the

KRANJSKA GORA: Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria poses after her victory in the FIS women’s World Cup slalom in Kranjska Gora yesterday. —AFP slalom results to those from Saturday’s downhill. “I was not thinking about the combined event, just about the slalom,” said Kostelic, who now has 855 points to Hirscher’s 725.

Austria’s Mario Matt, the 2001 and 2007 slalom world champion who led after the opening run, finished second, 0.72 behind Deville. Kostelic said he was determined to do well after the Austrian ski federation admitted before the race that Hirscher had straddled a gate while winning the Jan. 5 night slalom in Zagreb, Croatia.

“That struck me deeply. I was very disappointed and it motivated me highly,” said Kostelic. “It’s just one race, but the shame lasts

forever.” Austrian coaches studying footage of Hirscher’s second run in Zagreb after the race saw that one of his skis hit a gate and then passed it on the wrong side, Austria’s head coach Mattias Berthold said.

The incident went unnoticed during the race, and results will not be corrected because the International Ski Federation only accepts protests within 15 minutes of a race ending.

Kostelic, who won three slaloms this season, was 0.01 behind Matt after the opening run on the Ganslern course, which was softened by overnight rain and was further damaged during the race.

Kostelic skied very aggressively in his second run, when he was unaware of Hirscher’s disqualification. “I attacked more than I normally do,” said Kostelic. “The course was very hard to race. I almost fell twice. With these holes, it’s hard to race and to find your balance.”

Matt held back in his final run in an attempt to avoid the risk of skiing out because of the difficult course conditions. “It was really hard with all these holes and bumps,” Matt said. “For a win, you have to attack in your second run as well. I could not do that as I was in need of good results. Now I’ve made some points and will go out attacking again the next race.”

Deville was meanwhile delighted with the first victory of his career. “It’s fantastic. I have not being skiing that well since the start of the season but my second run was a dream,” the Italian said. “I was in the right rhythm from the start and the risks I took have paid off.”

Deville had never been on a World Cup podium before this season, but came second in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in November and third in Flachau, Austria, in December. “I am 31 years young, not old,” he said. “What happened, I don’t know. I have been training just like in previous years. Maybe it’s experience that counts.”

In the combined event, Swiss duo Beat Feuz and Silvan Zurbriggen came second and third respectively.The men’s World Cup travels to nearby Schladming for a night slalom tomorrow. —AP

17

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

SPORTS

India face humiliating whitewash in Australia MELBOURNE: Struggling India are desperate to avoid the ignominy of another 4-0 series wipeout in the fourth and final Test against Australia starting at the Adelaide Oval tomorrow.

It has been a tour from hell for the Indians, collapsing to heavy defeats in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and with their skipper M.S. Dhoni suspended for the Adelaide Test for a slow over rate in the abject third Test defeat.

India, who relinquished their top Test ranking when they were crushed 4-0 in England last year, face their eighth consecutive away defeat if they cannot prevent the rejuvenated Australians from inflicting another drubbing. Test cricket’s greatest

runscorer, Sachin Tendulkar, is still seeking his 100th international century and has the chance to reach the mark at the Adelaide “home” ground of cricket legend Don Bradman.

It has been a frustrating time for Tendulkar, 38, and probably on his farewell tour of Australia, missing out on his elusive ton in six innings in the series so far.

Tendulkar, stuck on 99 Test and one-day international hundreds, has now gone 10 Tests and 20 innings without a hundred, one of the longest waits for a Test century in his 187-Test career.

But while fingers have been pointed at India’s ageing batsmen for their role in India’s sorry series, Tendulkar has been sol-

id, scoring 249 runs at an average of 41.50.

The Adelaide Test looms as a crucial one for senior batsman V.V.S. Laxman, who at 37 is under extreme pressure over his Test future after a miserable series in which he has scored just 102 runs at an average of 17.

Laxman reportedly batted for nearly two hours in the Adelaide Oval nets on Thursday in a desperate bid to regain his touch with indications that he will play in the final Test.

The pressure is also on Virender Sehwag, who will lead India, still ranked number two in the world, in Dhoni’s enforced absence.

Sehwag has not lost a Test in his three matches at the helm but he is another senior batsman out of form and needs a typical buccaneering knock to galvanise his team.

“Ultimately, I have always believed that a captain is only as good as his team,” opening batsman Gautam Gambhir said. “M.S. (Dhoni) has done a great job, but it is the entire team that has not performed and that needs to take the blame.”

Little has gone right for India-thrashed by 122 runs in Melbourne and by an innings and 68 runs in Sydney, both inside four days, before an abysmal innings and 37-run defeat inside three days in Perth.

Australia’s bowlers have dominated, with swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus taking 23 wickets in the series at 16 apiece and Peter Siddle 17 wickets at under 20. While India’s decorated batsmen have yet to score a century in the three Tests, Australia have scored

four, including skipper Michael Clarke’s 329 not out.

“As Michael Clarke said after the game (in Perth), celebrate your win, but at the end of the day we want to try and beat the second team in the world four-nil,” opening batsman David Warner said.

“That’s a massive thing for us. Our goal is to become number one again (in the world) by the next Ashes in 2013. If we can keep working towards that, our goals will be achieved.”

Adelaide is regarded as a batting wicket and spinner Nathan Lyon is expected to come into Australia’s team after being left out on the pace-friendly WACA pitch in Perth. —AFP

Sri Lanka triumph in thrilling climax Win 5th ODI with 6 on second-last ball JOHANNESBURG: Sachithra Senanayake struck a six off the penultimate ball to give Sri Lanka a two-wicket triumph over South Africa yesterday in the final match of a five one-day international

series won 3-2 by the hosts.

Captain AB de Villiers and predecessor Graeme Smith (125 each) struck tons as South Africa made 312-4, but a century from Kumar Sangakkara (102) led the

tourists to 314-8 at the Wanderers and a second win within three days. Sri Lanka appeared to be cruising until Sangakkara became the fourth wicket to fall with 275 runs on the board and a late

JOHANNESBURG: Sri Lankan batsman and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (R) plays a shot as South African wicketkeeper and captain AB de Villiers tries to make a catch during the fifth One Day International match (ODI) between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday. —AFP

Scoreboard JOHANNESBURG: Scores in fifth one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the Wanderers yesterday: South Africa G. Smith c Chandimal b Malinga 125 A. Petersen c Mathew b Malinga 6 F. du Plessis c Mathews b Senanayake 24 AB de Villiers not out 125 A. Morkel run out (Dilshan/Perera) 18 JP Duminy not out 5 Extras (2lb, 7w) 9 Total (4 wkts, 50 overs) 312 Did not bat: C. Ingram, W. Parnell, R. Peterson, M. Morkel, L. Tsotsobe Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Petersen), 2-70 (Du Plessis), 3-256 (Smith), 4-269 (Morkel) Bowling: Kulasekara 10-1-46-0, Malinga 10-0-79-2 (1w), Mathews 3-1-16-0 (2w), Perera 7-0-64-0 (2w), Senanayake 9-0-50-1, Dilshan 2-0-12-0, Herath 9-0-43-0 (1w).

Sri Lanka U. Tharanga c Duminy b Tsotsobe T. Dilshan c De Villiers b Tsotsobe

46 41

K. Sangakkara c Peterson b Duminy 102 D. Chandimal c De Villiers b Parnell 20 L. Thirimanne c A. Morkel b Peterson 69 A. Mathews c Peterson b Parnell 6 T. Perera c Du Plessis b Duminy 2 N. Kulasekara b Peterson 0 R. Herath not out 1 S. Senanayake not out 6 Extras (12lb, 8w, 1nb) 21 Total (8 wkts, 49.5 overs) 314 Did not bat: L. Malinga Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Tharanga), 2-119 (Dilshan), 3-175 (Chandimal), 4-275 (Sangakkara), 5-294 (Mathews), 6-307 (Perera), 7-307 (Kulasekara), 8-308 (Thirimanne) Bowling: M. Morkel 9.1-0-49-0 (2w), Tsotsobe 7-0-54-2 (2w), Duminy 6.5-0-44-2, Parnell 10-0-51-2 (2w), A. Morkel 10-0-66-0 (1nb, 2w), Peterson 6.5-0-38-2.

Result: Sri Lanka win by two wickets Series: South Africa win 3-2

South Africa rally saw them grab two wickets within three balls during the final over. It left the tourists needing five runs from two balls to succeed and Senanayake hit Robin Peterson for a six to snatch victory in a thrilling climax to the two-month tour.

Sangakkara struck 10 fours in a maiden ODI ton against South Africa and there were also valuable contributions from Lahiru Thirimanne (69), Upul Tharanga (46) and skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (41). De Villiers and Smith excelled as South Africa recovered from a sluggish early run rate having being sent in to bat

by Dilshan in a match delayed for one hour by rain early in the Sri Lankan innings.

De Villiers finished unbeaten after facing 98 deliveries while Smith received a standing ovation from the sell-out 30,000 crowd after being caught by Dinesh Chandimal at mid-wicket off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.

While the Proteas skipper confirmed his position as one of the best stroke players in the world today with 10 fours and four sixes, Smith could not contain his joy as he walked off after a timely first ODI ton in three years. There was a media and public outcry against him just a week ago after innings of six, 28 and two in the first three matches of the series before he stopped the rot with a brisk 68 in Kimberley two days ago. Smith embroidered his innings with nine fours and four sixes off 143 balls during a 203minute stand and the sundrenched crowd revelled in his change of fortune.

South Africa lost opener Alviro Petersen (6) with only 10 runs on the board and were 70-2 when Faf du Plessis (24) departed before De Villiers and Smith took charge.

The Proteas stood at 133-2 after 30 overs and a run rate of 4.43 needed improvement on a good batting track, which the captains past and present duly did with 44 runs coming during a power play soon after. —AFP

MELBOURNE: Belgium’s Kim Clijsters makes a forehand return to China’s Li Na during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. —AP

Clijsters through, Federer thumps Tomic MELBOURNE: “Built Belgian tough” might become a badge of honour for future tennis generations after courageous Kim Clijsters’ win over Li Na yesterday, while Roger Federer dashed the dreams of home fans by crushing young gun Bernard Tomic.

On a day when the clouds cleared, the mercury bubbled and temperatures soared, Rafa Nadal won a battle of Spanish lefties against Davis Cup team mate Feliciano Lopez, and Tomas Berdych was booed mercilessly for a petulant show of bad sportsmanship.

Defending champion Clijsters crumpled to the court at 3-3 in the first set after her left ankle rolled sickeningly over. The Belgian, bidding farewell to the Australian Open in the final year of her career, had her ankle heavily strapped and Li took advantage to win the first set.

The 28-year-old Belgian clawed her way back into the match to win the second set in a tiebreak as the crowd began to believe she could pull off the win.

Clijsters closed out the match 4-6 7-6 6-4 to keep her hopes alive of a fifth grand slam title.

However, she conceded the injury had made her think about quitting against Li, whom she beat in the 2011 final. “It definitely crossed my mind at some point, but I knew if I could just try to let the medication sink in ... the pain would go away a little bit and maybe with the adrenaline I could just fly through it,” she said.

Clijsters was joined in the quarterfinals by number three seed Victoria Azarenka, who endured her traditional late-game hiccup before beating Iveta Benesova 6-2 6-2. World number one

Caroline Wozniacki endured a nervy second set against Jelena Jankovic before clinching a 6-0 7-5 win. Still giddy from Lleyton Hewitt’s heroics against Milos Raonic, Australian fans could barely believe they had two players in the men’s fourth round, but hopes that 19year-old Tomic could depose four-times champion Federer proved wide of the mark.

Teen Tomic had already come through two five-setters to reach the fourth round while 30-year-old Federer looked as fresh as a daisy in securing a 64 6-2 6-2 win. The Swiss, bidding to match Roy Emerson’s record of five Australian Open titles, will face former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarter-finals.

Federer agreed Tomic had the potential to win silverware. “I think he has had a wonderful tournament and there’s much more that’s going to come the Australian way,” he said. “It’s going to be tough against Del Potro. I don’t look beyond that because he’s coming up strong. He has had a good year, played all the top guys again and pushed us all.”

World number two Nadal, with heavy strapping on knee, ankle and foot, huffed and puffed his way past Lopez with little Spanish sparkle but was happy to go no more than three sets. Memories of his last eight withdrawal against Andy Murray two years ago, and defeat at the hands of David Ferrer last year, still haunt him. “Hopefully it won’t happen this time,” said Nadal after his 6-4 6-4 6-2 win.

“Every year is different. I had a bad experience for the last two years here. It’s tough to have to go out of a tournament like Australia in quarter-finals.” —Reuters

Five-goal Dortmund hammer Hamburg BERLIN: Defending champions Borussia Dortmund hammered Hamburg 5-1 on Sunday to join Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 at the top of the German league.

All three sides have 37 points, but Bayern, who slipped to a shock 3-1 defeat at fourthplaced Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday, stay top by virtue of a superior goal difference.

“We wanted to finish with 37 points and we did that in impressive style,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. “We played our football and the lads were merciless.”

Dortmund took the lead when Japan winger Shinji Kagawa slipped a pass through the Hamburg defence to allow Germany’s Kevin Grosskreutz to fire home on 16 minutes.

“We played really good football, that was unbelievable,” said Grosskreutz. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored his

13th goal in 18 league games when he held off Germany defender Dennis Aogo to score on 37 minutes. Dortmund midfielder and Poland captain Jakub Blaszczykowski-known as Kubamade it 3-0 on 58 minutes before netting a 76th-minute penalty.

Lewandowski then danced through the defence for the fifth goal on 83 minutes.

Dortmund featured 23-yearold Australian Mitchell Langerak in goal, with the former Melbourne Victory shot-stopper stepping in for veteran Roman Weidenfeller, who failed to recover from back pains.

Langerak was making only his second league appearance, having made his Bundesliga debut against Bayern in Dortmund’s 31 victory last February as Borussia went onto win the title.

Hamburg grabbed a consolation when Langerak managed to deny Zhi-Gin Lam, but Peru strik-

er Jose Guerrero pounced on the loose ball to net on 86 minutes.

Having taken over in October, this was the first defeat for Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink.

“We played badly, we gave Dortmund too much respect and I don’t know why,” said Fink. “We were missing a bit of bravery and that is something we must work on this week.”

On Saturday, Schalke coach Huub Stevens admitted he was in dreamland as the Royal Blues also drew level with Bayern after their 3-1 win over Stuttgart. A goal after just three minutes from 20-year-old Cameroon midfielder Joel Matip put Schalke ahead against the 2007 champions before Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos headed home on 57 minutes.

Schalke’s 18-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler then scored his side’s third with 10 minutes left after being set up by Netherlands striker Klaas-Jan

Huntelaar.

Stuttgart’s Japan striker Shinji Okazaki scored a consolation goal three minutes from time.

“I know we have the same amount of points as Bayern and it’s nice to dream,” said Stevens.

Werder Bremen remain fifth after a goalless draw at Kaiserslautern, while Nuremberg beat Hertha Berlin 2-0 and Wolfsburg striker Sebastian Polter scored his second goal in two games to give Wolves a 1-0 win over Cologne. Hoffenheim against Hanover finished goalless.

Freiburg proved there is life without Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse, who joined Newcastle United during the winter break, when they earned a 1-0 win over Augsburg through a late header from Matthias Ginter. With both sides in the relegation places, the result lifted Freiburg up to 17th and put Augsburg on the bottom of the table —AFP

LEVERKUSEN: Leverkusen’s Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok (C), Mainz’ defender Malik Fathi and Mainz’ Macedonian defender Nikolce Noveski vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FSV Mainz 05 in the western German city of Leverkusen yesterday. —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

sp orts

Football: Tunisia plotting more misery for Morocco LIBREVILLE: Tunisia are plotting to come out on top against Morocco for a third time in a major international competition when the two sides meet in today ’s Maghreb derby at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Tunisia came out on top when they defeated their neighbours in the final at the 2004 Nations Cup final on home turf, and again when they denied the Moroccans’ a place at the 2006 World Cup by finishing top of their qualifying group.

Tunisia’s captain Karim Haggui, speaking at the team hotel in the Gabon capital yesterday, said: “It’s only normal they (Morocco) see this as a chance for revenge, we beat them and won the title in 2004 and then came out on top in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.” The Hannover 96 defender who was part of then coach Roger Lemerre’s 2004 Cup winning side, added: “Tunisia have the advantage because we are the ones who have won at the big championships.

This is our chance to continue that tradition. “Of course winning the title in 2004 was important, but that’s history, we

have a new generation now, we want to write a new page in our history.”

Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi was anxious not to overstate the importannce of today’s meeting between two sides fancied to make it into the quarter-finals from a Group C that also includes cohosts Gabon and first-timers Niger.

“The Morocco game is very important, but it won’t be decisive. The games between the two countries are special, they know us, we know them, I hope we get the result we’re looking for.” Tunisia and Morocco are based in the same hotel on the Libreville waterfront, a sign of the friendly rapport and mutual respect that exists between them.

Morocco coach Eric Gerets is predicting yet another tight encounter at the L’Amitie stadium, the Belgian observing: “It’s all about the team that’s better prepared, the one that has better discipline...

“Tunisia have lots of talented players, they are a very good team, but I have a good team too.” Speaking at an earlier press conference he defended his decision to keep the faith with veteran 35-

year-old keeper Nadir Lamyaghri, who has only narrowly recovered in time from a shoulder injury.

“There’s no question that he’s not our number one keeper. He’s experienced, he speaks to his defence, he’s never disappointed me. There’s no reason to say he’s too old, or lacks competition, or is injured. He’s got lots of qualities.”

Gerets is expected to lead his attack with Marouane Chamakh, who has been sparingly used by his club boss Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. He believes Chamakh and other players in his predicament will be motivated to show their club managers what they can do on the Cup stage.

“Players who don’t play regularly for their European clubs will be motivated not only to do well for their country but also to show their capabilities to their (club) coaches,” he suggested.

“I’m certain they will want to give that something extra to show their good qualities to their managers. In a way they are also playing for their places at club level.” “He is capable of taking the chances against Tunisia.” — AFP

LIBREVILLE: Tunisia national football team coach Samir Trabelssi (R) and striker Saber Khelifa give a press conference yesterday in Libreville ahead of his team’s African Cup of Nations match against Morocco today. — AFP

Drogba saves Ivory Coast blushes

BATA: Zambia’s midfielder Nathan Sinkala (L) vies with Senegal’s Mamadou Niang (R) during their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Senegal and Zambia at the Bata stadium in Bata on Saturday. Zambia won the match 2-1. — AFP

Zambia shock Senegal after surviving onslaught BATA: Zambia survived a second-half Senegal onslaught to triumph 2-1 in Group A Saturday and create the first shock of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on the opening day. Emmanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba gave the Copper Bullets a two-goal lead within 20 minutes and all Senegal had to show for their dominance after half-time was a Dame N’Doye goal which set up a tense climax.

Senegal entered the tournament as 4/11 bookmakers’ favourites to win the mini-league and now face a make-or-break midweek clash with co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, who snatched a 1-0 win over Libya earlier at Estadio De Bata.

Victory was a personal triumph for Franceborn coach Herve Renard, who has vowed to win the tournament and honour the 1993 Zambian national team whose plane plunged into the sea near Bata killing all 30 on board. “It’s fantastic to beat Senegal. This is not a surprise, it’s the result of a lot of hard work,” said Renard.

“But there are still two games to play. We have to keep our feet on the ground and not get carried away as when you beat Senegal you think you can beat anybody.” Senegal coach Amara Traore chose his starting line-up from an embarrassment of attacking riches and opted for captain Mamadou Niang, Demba Ba and Moussa Sow with new Newcastle United signing Papiss Demba Cisse on the bench.

“The first half was a calamity,” said Traore.

“Zambia caused us a lot of discomfort and did more running. But we still have a chance to get through. Tonight changes nothing.” Zambia went for Switzerland-based striker Mayuka, leav-

ing James Chamanga on the sidelines, and the youngster repaid the faith of Renard just 12 minutes into the match.

A Copper Bullets’ free kick was nodded across the six-yard box and Mayuka headed past Bouna Coundoul to give his side a shock lead over rivals rated third favourites for the title by pundits behind Ivory Coast and Ghana.

The Senegalese defence was all at sea and after a narrow escape the Teranga Lions fell further behind on 20 minutes when Christopher Katongo set Kalaba free and he ran across the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home. Traore could not believe this was the same side that qualified at the expense of four-time champions Cameroon and reacted by sending on a fourth striker, N’Doye, at the expense of midfielder Remi Gomis with only half an hour gone.

Senegal finished the first half stronger, forcing a number of free kicks and a corner, and Ba was unlucky when his close-range shot was bravely blocked by Stoppila Sunzu.

Zambia were forced into their own half after the interval and Senegal twice came close to pulling a goal back through a Mohamed Diame header and a snap Ba shot as the midway point approached.

Traore brought on Issiah Dia during the break and made his final substitution on 67 minutes, replacing Sow with Cisse, before Ba saw a header come back off the crossbar.

The relentless Senegalese pressure finally told when N’Doye controlled a deep cross with his chest and then rifled a low shot past Kennedy Mweene at his near post. — AFP

MALABO: Africa Cup of Nations favourites Ivory Coast won a tense Group B opener against Sudan here yesterday, Didier Drogba earning the star-studded Elephants a 1-0 win.

For a side ranked 102 rungs below the Ivorians in FIFA’s ranking, Sudan covered themselves with glory, yet Drogba’s decisive intervention leaves them struggling and sets the 1992 champions on course for the quarter-finals. After a fraught first half in which Sudan more than held their own, Drogba calmed Ivorian nerves six minutes before the break.

The Chelsea striker broke the deadlock against the Nile Crocodiles when he rose to head in a superb cross from his club team-mate Salomon Kalou. But Ivory Coast almost found themselves back on level terms on the stroke of half-time, with only goalkeeper Boubacar Barry’s brilliant reaction tipping the ball over the crossbar to deny Mudather Elteib’s menacing strike.

Sudan came out for the second half and continued in the same vein, defending stoutly and trying to catch their illustrious opponents out on the counter-attack. The footballing millionaires went close to doubling their lead just before the hour, only for Sudan keeper Mahjoub El Moez to be up to the task of repelling Gervinho’s low attempt. The Arsenal forward had the Sudan defence trembling again in the 76th minute when running onto a long lob and charging into the area, only to squander a clear opportunity to put the match to bed. Ivory Coast skipper Drogba struck a relieved figure afterwards, saying: “I don’t know what’s better than taking the three points. Overall it’s a decent start. We displayed positive things and other things less good, but the most important aspect for us was to get off to a winning start.”

The Ivorians, while relieved to escape with three points, looked far from potential champions and will have to improve markedly if they are to fulfil their massive potential and shed their unwanted reputation as chokers.

That moniker has been attached to them after they lost the 2006 final to hosts Egypt, who stopped them again in the semi-finals in 2008,

while in 2010 they were stunned by hosts Angola in the quarter-finals.

Francois Zahoui, the winning coach, said he hadn’t been surprised by the stiff Sudanese resistance. He added: “I was expecting an ultramotivated team against us, they produced a very very good game. “We’ve come here with ambitions for this competition. I’m already satisfied that we didn’t concede a goal. We are always waiting for the Ivory Coast to produce fireworks but our aim is to win the Cup. “We’ll go step by step, there are areas to improve in terms of the substance but it was a positive beginning.

Mentally this win will relieve some of the pres-

MALABO: Ivory Coast national football team midfielder Yaya Toure (C) fights for the ball with Sudan’s Ala Eldin Yousif Hado (R) and Balla Gabir Kortokaila yesterday during a Group B match of the Africa Cup of Nations in Malabo. — AFP

Ex-United striker Manucho gives Angola perfect start

Co-hosts Gabon enter Cup fray LIBREVILLE: Gabon will not want to be outdone by their neighbours and Africa Cup of Nations’ co-hosts Equatorial Guinea when they tackle competition first-timers Niger here today. This opening Group C clash at the brand new L’Amitie stadium has been earmarked as a must win game by both teams hoping to upset the formbook and sneak into the quarter-finals. With previous winners Morocco and Tunisia in the mix, a first or second place finish looks tricky, but by no means out of the question. Gabon were given timely encouragement when their neighbours Equatorial Guinea got their campaign off to a dream start with Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Libya across the border in Malabo.

Niger cannot be underestimated after finishing top of their qualifying group, casting contintental kings Egypt, winners in 2006, 2008 and 2010, aside. But as Libya found out to their cost, home advantage is a major factor.

Gabon were quick out of the blocks in Angola two years ago, stunning one of the

Cup favourites Cameroon 1-0 in their first game, with former Hull City striker Daniel Cousin the scorer. Cousin, now attached to a locally-based side, commented: “Can we win the Cup? That’s hard, but we’ll go out and do our job. We’ve got a good mix of experienced players and youngsters who add power to the side. “We started well in Angola and we have to do the same here, if we beat Niger and win our second match who knows what can happen.”

Gabon’s German coach Gernot Rohr showed no signs of the pressure piled on his shoulders by his team’s number one fan, Gabon President Ali Bongo, who has identified the title as his team’s target, at a training session on Friday. “We’re well prepared, solid both on the pitch and mentally, there is a slight lack of confidence but we are all motivated and want to exploit all the chances we have.” The 58year-old is relishing his first taste of the Nations Cup, telling AFP: “My first Nations Cup - it’s a beautiful adventure, I’m happy to live through it. — AFP

sure.” Sudan’s coach Mohamed Abdalla understandably reckoned his bunch of youngsters had acquitted themselves well. “When you play a team like the Ivory Coast with numerous stars you can’t make mistakes. But after the goal and in the second half we shed our reserve and produced lots of chances.

“I think overall it’s a positive sign for the next match.” That is against Angola where Sudan will continue their quest for their first Nations Cup match outside Sudan since 1963. Next up for Drogba and company are Burkina Faso with both matches scheduled for Malabo on Thursday. — AFP

MALABO: Angola’s Contreiras Alberto (front) vies with a Burkina Faso’s player during their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), group B, football match at the Malabo stadium in Malabo yesterday. — AFP

MALABO: Former Manchester United striker Manucho scored the decisive goal as Angola defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 to lift the Black Antelopes’ level with Ivory Coast at the top of the Africa Cup of Nations Group B here yesterday.

Manucho’s goal earned the 2010 Cup hosts the important win after Alain Traore had cancelled out Angola’s opener from Mateus. These two sides were desperate to get points on the board after Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victor y over Sudan earlier in the Equatorial Guinea island capital.

Coach Jose Vidigal’s Angola arguably edged the encounter up to the break, passing crisply and trying to find room down the wings, but both sides were in need of injecting more venom to their finishing. Up front Flavio and Manucho, now in Spain with Real Valladolid, were linking up well enough. In the 26th minute Belgian-based defender Gilberto failed to make the most of a charge into the box, his muted attempt comfortably smothered by Burkina Faso keeper Daouda Diakite It was by no means all one way traffic as down at the other end the Angolan defence was called into service to block a shot from the lively Paul Keba Koulibaly.

Flavio was handed a gift-wrapped opportunity after the half hour but failed to do justice to Gilberto’s freekick. Burkina Faso put together a neat three-player move

just before the interval but like a lot of their attempts it came to nought.

The goal the game badly needed came two minutes after the restart. Sloppy defending in particular by Koulibaly let in striker Mateus who, after toying with the ball to get it on to his favoured right foot, struck low from the right of the box past Diakale to put Angola in command.

Koulibaly payed the price for his error, being hauled off by Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte with Mady Panandetiguiri coming on in his place. On 57 minutes, Auxerre midfielder Traore put Burkina Faso back on level terms with his freekick curling around the Angolan wall, the ball flying into the bottom far corner of the unsighted and hence motionless Carlos’ net.

That was his country’s first Nations Cup goal since 2004. Vidigal responded by replacing Flavio with midfielder Dede.

Manucho too responded in the best possible way, putting Angola back in front with a peach of a shot from outside the area after outfoxing Burkina Faso defender Bakary Kone. His 68th minute strike would have brought a smile to the face of his former Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Angola, who had to survive a frenetic closing ten minutes, will seek to wrap up a quarter-final spot against Sudan on Thursday with Burkina Faso facing Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast the same day. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

S P ORT S

Kean insists Samba will stay at Blackburn LIVERPOOL: Blackburn manager Steve Kean insists Christopher Samba will be at Ewood Park when the transfer window closes despite continuing speculation over the Congo defender ’s future. Samba, who handed in a transfer request earlier in the week, was left out of the Rovers side which earned a 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday.

The Congolese player has been the subject of two offers from one Premier League club, thought to be QPR, who are managed by former Blackburn

boss Mark Hughes, while Tottenham are also interested.

But Rovers have rejected QPR’s offers and Kean once again insisted after his team’s battling point at Goodison Park that Samba is going nowhere during the current transfer window.

Blackburn face Newcastle in their next league game on Februar y 1 after the window closes, and Kean expects Samba to feature. Explaining why Samba did not play at Goodison, Kean said: “It ’s been a tough week because we’ve had a cou-

ple of bids for Chris from one club.

“We put out a strong statement and he handed in a transfer request, so all those things put together I thought it was best he was not involved. “This is the last game for us before the window closes. He’ll be back in next week and we can move on.

“We’re trying to keep Chris. If Chris is going to move it’s not going to be in this window. “It’s not a case where we’re trying to get teams bidding against each other to get the figure up. We

just want to keep him - simple as that. “He felt he wanted to put in his request. He has done that and it ’s been refused. Today, you’ve seen we can put other players in and we’ve got real competition for places in that position. “We need Chris and I want my best players at the club.”

Blackburn, rooted to the foot of the table at Christmas, have now lost one in five games to give themselves hope of avoiding relegation. They produced a battling performance at Everton

and recovered to secure a point through David Goodwillie after Tim Cahill had ended his 13month Premier League goal drought by firing Everton ahead.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Cahill. The Australian was at fault for Blackburn’s late equaliser, while his goal was shrouded in controversy as team-mate Marouane Fellaini clearly handled the ball before Cahill forced the ball over the line.

Ever ton manager David Moyes also claimed that Blackburn’s equaliser should

have been disallowed for offside.

The Merseyside club started the day 11th in the table but dropped to 14th after failing to win for the fourth successive league game.

However, Moyes was pleased Cahill ended his goal drought.

“Tim has looked more likely to score in recent weeks,” he said.

“He’s looked as if he has been playing better and coming into a little bit of form.” On his team’s performance, Moyes added: “We just needed a little bit more in every department.”—AFP

Messi hat-trick inspires Barca triumph over Malaga Barca close to within two points of leaders Real

NOVARA: AC Milan’s Brazilian forward Robinho (C) fights for the ball during the Seria A match Novara against AC Milan yesterday in Novara. — AFP

AC Milan beat Novara to remain hot on Juve’s heels ROME: Strike pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho scored the goals as AC Milan emerged with a 3-0 victory from their trip to Novara yesterday and remain hot on the heels of league leaders Juventus.

Juve won 2-0 at Atalanta on Saturday and had briefly put daylight between themselves and the rest but Milan’s success closes the gap to a single point.

Udinese are also hanging on in third, three points behind Juve, after their comfortable 2-1 win over Catania, whose consolation came five minutes into time added on.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted he was happy with his team’s position at the halfway mark of the season. “We needed the three points after the three we lost in the derby and that’s what we were concenrated on,” he said.

“We’ve got 40 points which is the same as we had at the same stage last season. Juve have done better, they have one more point but there are 19 matches left.”

Ibrahimovic scored a brace and is now level with Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale at the top of the goalscoring charts. Unlike the Italian Cup meeting between the pair on Wednesday - which Milan squeaked through 2-1 after extratime - Novara couldn’t make life particularly difficult for the champions.

Almost all the pressure in the first half was put on the Novara goal but the hosts managed to hold firm. Ibrahimovic hit a vicious free-kick that Samir Ujkani couldn’t hold but Robinho fired the follow-up from a tight angle across the face of the goal.

The big Swede had another free-kick from a good position that he hit with venom and again it was too hot for Ujkani to handle but the ball spooned up and over the bar. From the resulting corner Philippe Mexes teed up Thiago Silva but his close range header was miraculously cleared off the line by Andrea Caracciolo.

Allegri wasted little time in trying to inspire his team, throwing on young forward Stephan El Shaarawy at half-time in place of full-back Luca Antonini. And the hosts cracked just 12 minutes after the re -start as Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini picked out Ibrahimovic at the back post with a short, dinked cross.

The Sweden for ward had lost his marker and had time to control the ball on his thigh before volleying past Ujkani.

El Shaarawy should have sealed the points 20 minutes from time when played in by Robinho but having skipped around Ujkani he sliced his finish wide.

But moments later Robinho slid in at the back post to divert in El Shaarawy’s shot that appeared to be going wide.

And the coup de grace came from Ibrahimovic in the final minute with a clever flick that fooled Ujkani and three defenders before trickling over the line.

Udinese were comfortable in dismissing Catania to contain their stunning campaign in which they have now proved they are no flash in the pan.

Colombia wing-back Pablo Armero opened the scoring on 20 minutes and enigmatic striker Di Natale added the killer second eight minutes into the second period.

They did concede with virtually the last kick of the game but it was too little too late. Napoli, however, appear definitely out of the title running and probably also Champions League contention as they drew 1-1 at Siena.

Emanuele Calaio opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the second period before Goran Pandev rescued a point four minutes from time for Walter Mazzarri’s men. The game of the day was in Sicily where Palermo trumped Genoa, who have now conceded 16 goals in their last four games, in a 5-3 thriller.

Inter Milan will look for their seventh straight win as they host Lazio, one point and one place above them in fourth, in the late game. — AFP

MADRID: Lionel Messi scored his 14th Barcelona hat-trick as the champions cruised to a 4-1 win at Malaga yesterday to close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to just two points.

Messi found the target in the 33rd, 50th and 80th minutes to take his season’s goal tally to 22, one more than Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo whose side can restore their five-point advantage when they face Athletic Bilbao late yesterday.

This was only Barca’s fourth league victory on their travels and Messi’s goals also brought to an end a poor personal run as of his 19 goals going into the game only one had come away from home.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola left Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi Hernandez on the bench with one eye on Wednesday’s King’s Cup quarterfinal second leg clash with Real, where his side defend a 2-1 lead.

Still it was a sluggish first half from the Catalan side and Malaga had the better openings notably for Isco Alarcon, who had a shot well-saved by keeper Victor Valdes.

He was denied twice more by the shot-stopper with a header and a close range strike. But Messi then headed home an Adriano cross to put the visitors ahead after 33 minutes.

After the break Barcelona raised the tempo with Alexis Sanchez and Messi both scoring within five minutes and the Argentine in par ticular had clicked into gear.

He hit a free-kick against the woodwork before out-running the defence to slot in his third of the night. With five minutes to go, substitute Jose Rondon claimed a consolation for Malaga. Real take on Bilbao

MALAGA: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, scores against Malaga during his Spanish La Liga soccer match at Rosaleda stadium in Malaga, Spain, yesterday. — AP

needing to perform more like the side which has won admirers for their attacking football, that has led to 63 goals in the league so far, rather than the defensive side that played Barca in the King’s Cup. Coach Jose Mourinho’s main concern is that they stop leaking goals. “The statistics show that we have conceded two goals against Malaga, one against Mallorca and another against Barcelona which is too many,” he said.

Valencia continue to struggle as they could only draw 1-1 in a scrappy game against Osasuna.

But they still hold a five-point lead over Levante, who face

Zaragoza later Sunday, in the fight for third place.

A late goal from Rober to Soldado with five minutes to go looked as though it would give Valencia a victory they did little to deserve. But, in injury time, midfielder David Albelda was given a straight red for a rash challenge and from the resulting free-kick Osasuna equalised.

Keeper Diego Alves could only knock the ball back into play after a header from Dejan Lekic and substitute Lolo Ortiz rammed it home from close range.

Valencia were look ing to bounce back from a home defeat

by Real Sociedad last weekend

Valencia squander lead to draw 1-1 at Osasuna

Lyon toil to reach French Cup last 16 PARIS: Late goals from strikers Bafetimbi Gomis and Lisandro Lopez gave Lyon a laboured 2-0 win over fourth-tier underdogs Vendee Lucon yesterday, taking Remi Garde’s side into the French Cup last 16.

In a game played at Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire, Lucon held out until the 75th minute against their illustrious opponents, who broke the deadlock when Gomis’ shot was deflected past goalkeeper Damien Leclere.

Lisandro made the game safe nine minutes from time, finishing off a Lyon counter-attack with a right-footed shot into the roof of the net. “We found ourselves in danger a few times, but we’d been warned,” said Garde.

“I wasn’t surprised. Lucon are a CFA (Championnat de France Amateur) team of quality, whose desire to play football is commendable. “They played their match of the year, but we qualified.”

In-form Marseille will bid to extend their winning run to six games in all competitions at home to Ligue 2 Le Havre later on Saturday, while Montpellier visit another second-tier outfit, Tours, today.

On Saturday, holders Lille required an

extra-time header from substitute Gianni Bruno to overcome fourth-tier side Compiegne 1-0.

“To go far in the French Cup, you also need to know how to squeeze through in certain matches,” said Lille coach Rudi Garcia. “The door wasn’t wide tonight but we managed to pass through it all the same.” Bordeaux had a similarly narrow escape, with goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso saving two spotkicks as they beat Creteil 4-3 on penalties after the National (third division) outfit had twice equalised to force a 2-2 draw.

Ajaccio and Auxerre were not so fortunate, as the Corsicans fell 3-2 to fourthtier Bourg-Peronnas and Laurent Fournier’s Auxerre lost 2-1 at home to Chateauroux of Ligue 2. Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 victory at fifthtier Sable-sur-Sarthe on Friday.

PSG had needed an injury-time goal from Diego Lugano to see off fifth-division side Saint-Colomban Locmine in the previous round, but a brace each from Nene and Kevin Gameiro gave them a more comfortable margin of victory at the MMArena in Le Mans. — AFP

but chances were few and far between in a cagey first half.

After the break the Valencia keeper did well to repel a header from Raul Garcia and then a freekick from Javad Nekounam, and the game was petering out until the dramatic finale.

Mallorca eased their relegation fears with a second half Ivan Ramis header giving them a 1-0 win away to Rayo Vallecano.

The home side had the better of the openings with Piti Lu n a , M i c h u Pe re z a n d J o s e Casado all going close in the first half but Ramis snatched the victory for Mallorca after jumping highest at a corner after 56 minutes. — AFP

VALENCIENNES: Valenciennes player’s Gregory Pujol (foreground) vies for the ball against Bastia’s player Maka Mary during their French League Cup soccer match yesterday at the Hainaut stadium in Valenciennes. — AFP

MADRID: Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches when they conceded a goal in added time in a 1-1 La Liga draw at Osasuna yesterday. Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery’s side when he nodded his 12th league goal of the campaign six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.

However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting freekick to rescue a point for the home side. The draw leaves Va l e n c i a s i x p o i n t s b e h i n d s e c o n d - p l a c e d Barcelona, who can stretch the gap to nine and close to within two of leaders Real Madrid, at least for a few hours, with a win at Malaga late yesterday.

Real, who host Athletic Bilbao in the late game ( 2 0 3 0 ) , n e e d to p i c k t h e m s e l ve s u p fo l l ow i n g Wednesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Barca in a King’s Cup quar ter-final first leg amid repor ts in local media of a rift in the dressing room.

Sports daily Marca carried quotes yesterday from w h a t i t s a i d w a s a ro w b e t we e n c o a c h J o s e Mourinho and defender Sergio R amos and the paper said some of the Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager. — Reuters

Mourinho faces Real Madrid revolt MADRID: Jose Mourinho was facing a Real Madrid revolt yesterday after he claimed his players were stabbing him in the back, sports daily Marca reported. Marca claimed the combustible Portuguese coach had accused some of his stars of trying to betray him by conducting a whispering campaign in the press.

“You killed me in the mixed zone,” Mourinho was reported to have said to his players, referring to the bustling area where media get the opportunity to talk to players

after matches. “Obviously, as you Spanish are the the world champions, your friends in the press will protect you.”

The fall-out between the coach and his team came in the aftermath of Madrid’s 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday. Marca said that Mourinho had rowed with defender Sergio Ramos, who he claimed had not marked Carles Puyol closely enough, allowing the veteran Barca player to score the equaliser in Wednesday’s tie.

The newspaper even reported the pair’s heated exchange. “Ramos: ‘We decided to change the marking positions (with Pepe).’

“Mourinho: ‘So you are trying to be the coach?’ “Ramos: ‘No, but sometimes you have to change the marking in a match. As you have never worn the shirt as a high-level player, you wouldn’t know that this situation sometimes presents itself.’”

Madrid were due to host Athletic Bilbao, when they will bid to re-establish their fivepoint lead at the La Liga summit. —AFP

Drogba saves Ivory Coast blushes Page 18 MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

LONDON: Arsenal’s English striker Theo Walcott (C) vies with Manchester United’s Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard (L) during their English Premier League football match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London, England yesterday. — AFP

Man Utd win 2-1 at Arsenal Welbeck keeps United hot on City’s heels Man Utd 2

Arsenal 1

LONDON: Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia gave his best impression of Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday, scoring one goal and setting up another to give his side a 2-1 win at Arsenal that keeps the pressure on Premier League leader Manchester City.

Rekindling memories of Ronaldo’s seven stellar years with United, Ecuador winger Valencia headed United into the lead in first-

half injury time and darted into the area with nine minutes left to present Danny Welbeck with the chance to smash a winner past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Robin van Persie’s 71st-minute equalizer - his 19th league goal of the season - counted for little. The result kept the defending champions within three points of City and further threatened the Gunners’ chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. “We created an amazing amount of chances and to only score two is a bit disappointing,” United manager Alex Ferguson said.

“We should have rammed home our advantage in the first half. “We were really adventurous, positive and had a great belief in ourselves.”

Arsenal is five points behind fourth-place Chelsea and 18 behind City. Home fans jeered manager Arsene Wenger’s decision to substitute Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain with the score at 1-1, and many left after watching the young winger ’s replacement - Andrey Arshavin decide not to challenge Valencia as he broke forward to set up the winning goal.

“I can understand that fans are upset about the substitution, especially when it doesn’t work,” said Wenger, adding that Oxlade Chamberlain was tired and carrying a calf problem. “People pay their tickets and are free to express their emotions and we have to deal with that.

“That doesn’t mean they are right

always.” Wenger also left fan favorite Thierry Henry out of the squad, and the on-loan New York Red Bulls striker watched from the stands while Ryan Giggs showed the difference a veteran can make to big games.

The 38-year-old former Wales international showed a glimpse of his old pace by twisting and turning up the inside right channel to win a free kick on the edge of the area.

That chance amounted to nothing but his next significant contribution was to float in the left-wing cross that Valencia headed in at the far post.

United enjoyed plenty of possession with Michael Carrick probing patiently from deep and Giggs, in his 48th game against Arsenal,

showing mobility and vision to consistently put the ball into dangerous areas.

Wayne Rooney was too deep to be a real goal threat, and Nani wasted United’s best first-half chance when he rolled the ball across goal with both Rooney and Welbeck unmarked and screaming for a pass.

Van Persie made United pay for its missed chances, atoning for an uncharacteristic earlier miss with a first-time finish across goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard and in at the far post.

That roused the home fans but Valencia showed quick feet to cut into the area, exchange passes with substitute Park Ji-sung and lay the ball off to Welbeck. The striker, who had few opportunities to impress

until then, thrashed the ball into the net. Van Persie was largely isolated

by Wenger’s decision to play a fiveman midfield and the only time winger Theo Walcott looked truly menacing was when United right back Phil Jones collapsed with what looked like a serious injury and left his opponent unopposed.

When he next got the ball in a promising area, Walcott leaned back and smashed Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 25th-minute cross high over the bar and into the crowd. But United’s victory came at a cost, with Jones carried off the field in the 17th with what appeared to be an ankle injury, Nani limping off in the second half and Rooney hobbling at the end following a heavy challenge from Alex Song. — AP

Super Mario sinks Spurs Man City 3

Tottenham 2 LONDON: Mario Balotelli struck a dramatic injurytime penalty as Manchester City overcame a brave Tottenham fightback to win 3-2 and take a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Substitute Balotelli blasted in his spot-kick deep into injury time after the Italian striker had been bundled over by Ledley King for a clear-cut penalty. But the City forward’s winner was tinged with controversy after television replays suggested he was lucky not to be sent off in an earlier tangle with Scott Parker where he appeared to stamp on the Spurs midfielder’s head. The finale capped a remarkable game which had seen Spurs recover from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 with goals from Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale after City had taken the lead through Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott. Spurs’ agony was compounded by

a chance missed by Defoe moments before City’s winner which might have given them a 3-2 lead, the striker just failing to tuck away a low cross from Bale. The result saw City take a six-point lead at the top of the table although second-placed Manchester United can reduce the deficit if they win at Arsenal in Sunday’s late match.

Assistant City manager David Platt hailed Balotelli’s composure in striking the winning penalty but declined to comment on the player’s earlier flashpoint involving Parker. “Mario has got that ability to put a penalty like that away,” Platt said. “With penalties he’s got full confidence in himself, he looks at the keeper and tries to make the keeper make a mistake.

“I haven’t seen the incident with Balotelli so I can’t comment on it until I see it. If we continue to amass points and carry on winning we’ll be tough to beat, but it doesn’t change anything in terms of the title race.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was fuming following the incident however. “Balotelli has kicked Scott Parker in the head purposely. He’s backheeled him in the head,” Redknapp said. “I don’t know why you would do that on a football pitch.

It’s there for everybody to see.”

After a scrappy first half where neither side managed to get a grip on the game, the contest

exploded into life shortly after the restart with four goals inside nine minutes. City drew first blood with a wonderfully worked opener on 56 minutes, David Silva releasing Nasri with a perfectly weighted through ball which took the French international beyond the Spurs defence.

The former Arsenal star ghosted away from Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul and unleashed an unstoppable first-time shot that flew past Brad Friedel. City looked to have taken a stranglehold on the match within three minutes when Lescott made it 2-0.

Edin Dzeko rose to flick on from a corner and Lescott was on hand to bundle the ball home after outmuscling Scott Parker near the goal-line.

But City’s goal celebrations had barely subsided before Tottenham were handed a way back into the game after a mistake by Stefan Savic.

A hopeful clearance forward from Kaboul was headed back towards the City goal by the Montenegrin defender but fell only as far as Defoe, who coolly rounded Joe Hart before stroking home to make it 2-1.

Five minutes later and Spurs were level.

Aaron Lennon glided in off the left flank and laid off to Bale on the edge of the area, who unleashed a curling shot into the top corner beyond Hart. —AFP

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Gareth Barry (L) challenges Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale during their English Premier League football match at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England yesterday. — AFP

Emerging markets will help rebalance global growth Page 22

Euro finance chiefs seek turning-point Page 23

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

Fed to enter tricky waters

KSE shares end mixed Page 24

Page 25 KARACHI: A Pakistani street vendor displays birds of prey for sale at a market in Karachi yesterday. More than 700 species of birds are native to the South Asian nation. —AFP

Global rating agencies under scrutiny Markets cold-shoulder S&P downgrades PARIS: Financial markets that waited a month for euro-zone sovereign debt downgrades quickly ignored the news from Standard & Poor’s once it came, raising the question of just how pertinent international ratings agencies are.

Aside from a couple of jittery hours on Friday the 13th, investors took the downgrades of nine euro-zone countries in their stride, and most of those concerned did not appear to have suffered much, if at all, from the development.

Stock markets in London and Frankfurt posted four straight sessions of gains before giving up a bit of ground on Friday as investors locked in gains ahead of the weekend. On government bond markets, Spain and Italy found that the rates they had to offer to borrow money had stabilized and declined respectively, even though both suffered two-notch S&P downgrades.

In fact, all of the downgraded countries

that sought to borrow money last week were able to do so at better rates than before the hatchet fell. “ The markets donned their rose -colored glasses,” remarked Fabrice Coustie, managing director of the online brokerage CMC Markets France.

“It was generally expected,” agreed Philippe Brossard, chief economist at at AG2R La Mondiale, in reference to the downgrades, and “it did not change anything fundamentally.”

The S&P decision came “in a very troubled context in which everyone was already downgraded in fact,” Coustie said.

The event was also sandwiched between an exceptional European Central Bank loan of funds for three years, which occurred in late December, and an announcement by the International Monetary Fund last week that it would raise an additional 500 billion dollars to ensure the euro-zone debt crisis did not scupper the global economy.

“ The IMF is more credible than any European structure” created to provide financial support to sovereign states such as the temporary rescue fund EFSF or the future European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Coustie noted. Context and anticipation thus appear to have weighed heavily in advance against the sovereigns, making it hard to say whether international ratings agencies have lost a lot of their influence.

“They have relatively little impact on sovereign debt assessments because we have a pretty good idea of our own regarding the countries’ financial situation,” said Gunther Capelle-Blancard, deputy director of the Paris-based economic institute CEPII. “We knew that Germany offers more guarantees than France, which in turn offers more than Italy,” Capelle-Blancard said. Brossard noted that “the only country that really suffered (from the S&P downgrades) was Portugal, which fell below BBB” or into speculative grade territory.

“ That might spark an exit by some investors” who are obliged by internal regulations to hold investment-grade debt, he said.

Portugal nonetheless managed to place some shorter-term paper at better conditions than before its downgrade, but the rate on Lisbon’s 10-year debt climbed two percentage points from 12.5 percent to around 14.5 percent. By comparison, the rate on reference German 10-year Bunds was just 1.782 percent last week. Ratings agencies should not be “the sole reference, it is absolutely inappropriate to saddle us with this systemic risk” role said Carole Sirou, head of the French branch of Standard and Poor’s.

Systemic risk is that which can do lasting damage to the financial sector as a whole.

It remains to be determined however the usefulness of ratings agencies that “pass their time running after the markets,” Brossard said. —AFP

New oil find in Gulf of Suez: Kuwait Energy KUWAIT: Kuwait Energy Plc, one of the fastest growing independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the Middle East, announced a new oil discovery in Egypt’s Ahmad-1X well, located in the Gulf of Suez’s Area A concession.

The company’s press release said, “the newly discovered Ahmad-1X well was drilled to 2,110 meters depth.

The initial test recorded a flow rate of 890 barrels of oil equivalent per day from the Kareem formation level. This discovery brings the total number of oil, gas, and condensate discoveries made by Kuwait Energy in Egypt, since 2008, to 14 discoveries, three of which were made in Area A. Kuwait Energy is the lone operator of Area A and holds a 70 percent working interest. Omani independent Petrogas E&P holds the remaining 30 percent share.

Kuwait Energy Plc Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sara Akbar, said, “This is a further contribution to the productive capacity of the Egyptian energy sector and we are glad to play a part in this success.” Akbar added the company would continue testing and developing in the area, which is believed to hold great promise still. Egyptian operations contribute the largest share to Kuwait Energy’s working interest production, comprising 17,700 barrels of oil equivalent by the end of 2011. Kuwait Energy is the operator of three blocks in Egypt, namely the Area A, Burg El Arab development, lease and the Abu Sennan concession. It also has interests in two other nonoperated blocks: Mesaha concession and the East Ras Qattara development lease.—KUNA

WASHINGTON: A view showing the Occupy DC encampment in McPherson Square on a cold morning in Washington, DC yesterday. — AFP

UAE approves $1.3bn Etihad Rail borrowing DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ cabinet has approved plans for Etihad Rail, the developer of a railway network in the country, to borrow 4.7 billion dirhams ($1.28 billion) to finance part of the construction, Dubai’s ruler said yesterday. “We also approved during the meeting for Etihad Rail to borrow 4.7 billion dirhams to finance their new line to Al Ruwais,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is also UAE vice-president, posted on his official

Twitter feed. No other details were provided. The rail network, which will cover 1,200 kilometres across the UAE and is projected to cost around $11 billion, is being built in three stages. The line to Ruwais is part of the first phase.

In October, a contract worth 3.3-billion dirhams was awarded to an ItalianUAE joint venture, consisting of Italy’s Saipem , Tecnimont and UAE-based Dodsal Engineering & Construction PTE Ltd, to design, procure and construct

the first stage’s infrastructure. The first stage of the rail network will link the western region cities of Habshan and Ruwais by 2013 and join Shah and Habshan by 2014.

Phase two of the project will connect Abu Dhabi to Jebel Ali in Dubai while the third phase will connect the northern emirates. Contracts for the second stage are earmarked to be awarded in the third-quarter of 2012, its chief executive said in November. — Reuters

UAE CB thwarts website hacking DUBAI: The central bank of the United Arab Emirates has fended off an onslaught from hackers trying to bring down its website, the bank’s head of information technology (IT) told Reuters yesterday.

Israeli hackers were apparently behind the attack, having vowed to target various state-linked websites in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in revenge for a wave of credit card code thefts by a hacker who claimed to be operating out of Saudi Arabia. The websites of Israeli institutions have also been targeted.

Hackers launched the denial-of-service (DoS) attack - usually flooding a Web server with false information to make it crash - against the UAE central bank website on Thursday, said Bob Thomson, chief manager of IT. In response, UAE telecoms operator Etisalat, which provides fixed line services to the bank, blocked access to the website from abroad and this thwarted the hackers, Thomson said.

“There was no damage done to the website,” he added. “Etisalat was ultra careful, which was the right approach.”Hackers calling themselves the IDF Team, an apparent reference to the Israel Defense Force, said on Wednesday in an online post they would disable the UAE central bank website.

Hackers claimed last week to have disrupted the websites of the Saudi Arabian and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges. Both bourses denied their websites had been breached.

Rashed Al-Baloushi, acting director general of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), said its website was not specifically targeted. “We have been checking the database and no abnormal access took place,” he added. Cyber crime in the Middle East is soaring. “There are multiple forms of cyber crime - one could be stealing confidential data, another could be ‘hactivism’, which is a group of hackers attacking a corporation, institution or government because they didn’t agree with their policies,” said Bulent Teksoz, Symantec chief security strategist for emerging markets. “We’re seeing more focused attacks on organizations.” Teksoz said cyber crime in the Middle East could be more widespread than thought because of low levels of disclosure in the region.

“Hactivism has been a major threat in 2011 and we expect it to be so again in 2012,” said Teksoz.

“The threat is real - we have targeted attacks coming into the region and they are designed to get intelligence and confidential information and create chaos.” — Reuters

22

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

business

Emerging markets will help rebalance global growth

No rate cut for India despite growth fears Central bank meets tomorrow

AIM & Economic Outlook DUBAI: As the second Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai veers towards finalizing its preparation, an accrued number of international delegations including governments, SOE and private sector companies from all key developing economies are rushing in to formalize their attendance and secure their participation in the most anticipated FDI-focus and emerging markets-led event of the year.

The momentum built around this unique and exceptional investment focused event keep growing by the hours, asserting thus, the incommensurable value of this international platform for its current and prospective participants.

Invited to comment on his participation, Dr Nouriel Roubini, economist, advisor for the IMF fiscal committee and chief executive officer of Roubini Global Economics who joined AIM 2012 as Global Economic Research Partner - commented on the state of the current economies and shared his perspective on emerging markets prospects. “Looking forward in 2012 and beyond, the state of the global economy looks gloomy with high unemployment rates, mounting sovereign debt and limited economic growth in mature markets. Emerging Market economies are slowing down but continue to grow strongly, and have strong long-term prospects, particularly those that have improved macroeconomic management, better use of foreign capital and stronger education. South-South trade and investment is on the rise. The next step will be policies that improve coordination and increase final demand in both Emerging Markets economies, to help rebalance global growth and increase global demand. We will be discussing these realities at the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai.”

Economic Integration The perfect recipe for economic prosperity, exponential growth and strategic governance

has yet to be found, however, alternatives that help build stronger economic alliances, foster international trade and engage investors are the most viable and tangible options.

The key imperatives to encourage inward

Dr Nouriel Roubini investments in emerging economies include establishing economic blocs to enhance regional trade. The causality between enhanced trade and FDI has long been recognized. Emerging economies trade has increased substantially and so has their economic achievements.

A new breed of developing economies borne in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis present now new economic architecture with more com-

pelling value propositions to help accelerate an inclusive economic integration of their markets and achieve exceptional competitiveness on the global stage.

The activation of reliable mechanisms of economic and financial cooperation starts with building firm foundations to strengthen relationships between key stakeholders. 2010 witnessed a wide-spread movement towards consolidating partnerships to circumvent the negative impact of mature markets cyclic depressions and support emerging countries’ transition to maturity.

Pondering on the need for more economic integration or cooperation, Walid Khaddour, Director at the Arab-Argentina Chamber of Commerce who will be helming the Argentinean delegation (that include the participation of Argentinean Minister of Tourism) at AIM shared his thoughts.

Khaddour stated that the Argentina-Arab Chamber of Commerce sees in the Annual Investment Meeting a great opportunity to further economic cooperation between one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and the GCC region.

We are here to build hope-for synergies as we strongly believe in expending trade and business avenues across continents. We are confident that sustaining our partnerships and strengthening our ties with the GCC will translate into viable economic opportunities for both regions, which now are much more linked and connected thru the new routes Dubai-Buenos Aires developed by the Dubai¥s most successful story, Emirates Airlines. Further strategic discussions on cooperation between the BRICS bloc, MERCOSUR, Southern Europe, ECOWAS, GCC and Korea will be staged at the regional integration and trade cooperation morning ministerial panel discussion of the first day of AIM Conference on May 1, 2012 with ministers of economy, industry and trade representing Argentina, Ghana, South Korea, Turkey and UAE.

Orascom rises; Gulf markets mixed 1.1 percent, after posting a 10-percent drop in quarterly profit last week, missing forecasts. Declining global demand has weighed on petrochemical prices. “SABIC drove the market down and investors are still digesting the earnings,” said Turki Fadaak, head of research at Al Bilad Investment. “(By) the end of the week, the short-term picture will become clear as to the direction of the market.”

National Industrialization dipped 1 percent, Advanced Petrochemical shed 2 percent and Nama Chemicals dropped 3.8 percent. Contractor Mohammad A Mojil Group extended losses, dropping 6.5 percent, after saying last week its fourth quarter losses exceeded 10 percent of its total assets. In Dubai, Union Properties rose 5.8 percent. The developer has named Ahmad Khalaf Al Marri acting general manager, a bourse

last year. Many investors are worried an outbreak of violence could set back the political process. In Qatar, banks fell, with Masraf Al Rayan down 3.4 percent and Qatar Islamic Bank down 0.6 percent .

“Although the results were good, dividends didn’t meet expectations, but the fall is unjustified in my opinion on the long haul,” said Amer Khan of Shuaa Asset Management.

“There is obviously appetite when these equities get to certain levels. By no means do I think that valuations in Qatar are stretched or at a point that deserves a sell-off.”

Doha’s index fell 0.2 percent to its lowest close since Oct 23. In Saudi Arabia, petrochemical stocks weighed on the index , which lost 0.2 percent as investors digested the last of the fourth-quarter earnings. Regional bellwether Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) fell

India’s economy has staggered under the brunt of the 13 rate rises that have pushed the central bank’s benchmark interest rate to 8.5 percent-its highest level since July 2008. The increase in borrowing costs has dampened demand at a time when growth is already being impacted by the struggling US economy and Europe’s debt crisis. Although India’s projected growth remains enviable by Western standards, it is too slow to fulfill government pledges of significant poverty reduction and to create enough jobs for a soaring young workforce in the country of 1.2 billion.

The slowdown is also playing havoc with Mukherjee’s fiscal deficit reduction targets. Economists say public finances are deteriorating with a rising subsidy bill, lower-than-expected tax revenues and privatization earnings, as well as mounting public borrowing. The government has raised just three percent of its 400-billion-rupee ($7.9 billion) target from the sale of holdings in state-owned firms this financial year-partly due to a bearish stock market.

The government’s top financial adviser C Rangarajan says it will now be a “Herculean task” to cut the budget deficit to the targeted 4.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product. The deficit, which stood at 6.7 percent of GDP in the first half of 2011-12, has emerged as a key concern of economists who say it could be as high as seven percent for the full year-spelling higher borrowing and bigger interest payments. The deficit was 4.7 percent a year ago. Adding to the gloom is perceived paralysis in the Congress-led government, which has postponed major economic reforms as it fights numerous corruption scandals that have damaged the reputation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — AFP

Deal for ‘weak link’ Greece will stabilize euro-zone: Goldman

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS CAIRO/DUBAI: Egypt’s Orascom Telecom (OT) soared yesterday following an eight-week suspension, while Qatar’s bourse slumped to a three-month low as investors disappointed with proposed dividends continued to sell while other Gulf markets were mixed.

OT’s shares, suspended since Nov. 24, jumped 56.1 percent as the company spun off assets owned by Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris. The purchase by Russia’s Vimpelcom of most of OT in April resulted in it being split into two companies. “The Djezzy sale was the catalyst,” said Ahmed Abu Taleb of Pharos Securities, adding that he believed the surge in OT’s share price was an overreaction.

Egypt’s index rose 1.3 percent.

Other shares declined ahead of the Jan. 25 anniversary of the uprising that pushed aside Hosni Mubarak

NEW DELHI: India’s central bank will keep interest rates at close to four-year highs when it meets tomorrow despite mounting anxiety over cooling growth in Asia’s third-largest economy, analysts say. While other developing nations from Brazil to Indonesia have cut rates to shield their economies from the global downturn, India’s worries over inflation are likely to leave the cost of borrowing unchanged.

The Reserve Bank of India has “emphasized that upside risks to inflation remain” and it would be “premature” to begin cutting interest rates at the policy-setting meeting, said HSBC economist Lief Eskesen. The bank has hiked rates 13 times since March 2010 — the most aggressive pace of monetary tightening among its global peersbefore going into pause mode late last year amid concerns over faltering growth. Inflation has dropped from near-double digits to 7.47 percent, but economists say the downward trend is not entrenched enough to prompt a rate rollback. The bank is, however, expected to strike a more dovish tone with “growth concerns now predominating”, says Moody’s Analytics economist Glenn Levine, who echoed other analysts in predicting a possible rate cut in March.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the past week insisted that India’s “economic fundamentals are strong” but warned the economy faced a “difficult” period.

The government is now projecting growth of around 7.0 percent for the financial year to March 2012, down from the 9.0 percent forecast in the budget.

The economy grew by 8.5 percent last year. Some economists believe the final growth figure will be slightly lower-in the mid to upper six-percent range.

statement said. Dubai’s benchmark ended 0.5 percent higher. In Oman, Renaissance Services climbed 3.5 percent, recovering from Thursday’s three-year low after a company issued a bourse statement about concerns over its re-financing issues.

“The company has finished 2011 with a positive liquid balance sheet and all financial commitments continue to be met on schedule,” chief executive Stephen Thomas said.

Renaissance said in November it was seeking $380 million to finance loans and consolidate facilities for unit Topaz Energy and Marine.

“The company announced a refinancing initiative, which we anticipated should be completed by now,” the statement added. The index added 0.2 percent, up from Thursday’s six-week low. — Reuters

ATHENS: A massive debt writedown for Greece will stabilize the euro-zone by removing a threat posed by its “weak link,” a strategist with investment bank Goldman Sachs said in an interview published yetserday. Greece needs a so-called PSI, or private-sector involvement, deal to be ironed out, as well as a second EU bailout, if it is to be able to make a debt repayment of 14.4 billion euros on March 20.

With those two deals in place, a “systemic danger in the euro-zone, which comes from the weak link, that is, Greece,” will be removed, Francesco Garzarelli was quoted as telling the Greek daily To Vima.

Garzarelli, head of the US bank’s macroeconomic research section, said that by 2014 much of Greece’s debt will be transferred from the private sector to euro-zone institutions, while a new balanced budgets treaty will apply to all member states. He said the sovereign debt of Greece, Italy and Spain, for example, would become a debt for the entire euro-zone, dissipating the previous threat, adding: “The euro-zone

will be stabilized.” Negotiators from the Institute of International Finance, which is representing banks and financial institutions owed money by Greece, and the French bank BNP Paribas began crunch talks with Athens last Wednesday. The negotiations on cutting around 100 billion euros ($129 billion) from Greece’s massive debt of more 350 billion euros were adjourned Friday with both sides expressing optimism about the outcome.

IIF managing director Charles Dallara and Jean Lemierre, a representative of French bank BNP Paribas, left Athens on Saturday but experts stayed on to continue talks in the Greek capital. Technical details remain to be worked out, the Greek press said yesterday, notably the interest rate to be applied to the remaining debt after the writedown, an issue that torpedoed talks held on January 13. The International Monetary Fund and Berlin want to set the rate at about 3.0 percent, while the IIF has proposed a rate of 4.35 percent, according to the Kathimerini daily. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds

.2730000 .4270000 .3550000 .2940000 .2730000 .2870000 .0040000 .0020000 .0754990 .7355610 .3810000 .0710000 .7210850 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2781000 GB Pound/KD .4291080 Euro .3576090 Swiss francs .2960720 Canadian dollars .2752380 Danish Kroner .0480910 Swedish Kroner .0406660 Australian dlr .2891270 Hong Kong dlr .0358180 Singapore dlr .2176230 Japanese yen .0036230 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0757460 Bahraini dinars .7379590 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0741800 Omani riyals .7226190 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.598 5.337 3.154 2.436 3.341 213.250 35.672 3.580 6.336 8.873 0.271 0.273

.2815000 .4370000 .3640000 .3030000 .2820000 .2960000 .0070000 .0035000 .0762570 .7429540 .4020000 .0770000 .7283320 .0072000 .0520000 .2802000 .4323490 .3603090 .2983070 .2773160 .0484540 .0409730 .2913100 .0360890 .2192660 .0036510 .0056040 .0024680 .0031150 .0033580 .0763180 .7435320 .3963220 .0747400 .7280760 .0065140

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 74.150 76.402 722.230 738.540 75.715

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.500 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.282 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.272 Tunisian Dinar 189.860 Jordanian Dinar 392.670 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.865 Syrian Lier 6.003 Morocco Dirham 33.814 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 277.950 Euro 370.650 Sterling Pound 431.930 Canadian dollar 268.420 Turkish lire 153.940 Swiss Franc 300.620 Australian dollar 277.000 US Dollar Buying 277.750 GOLD 315.500 159.000 81.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal

SELL CASH

296.800 742.130 3.870 279.200 548.100 44.500 49.600 167.800 48.230 365.400 36.640 5.720 0.032 0.206 0.247 3.730 395.740 0.189 93.240 46.200 4.290 228.800 1.808 48.400 724.840

3.200 6.760 77.190 74.510 220.960 37.840 2.647 438.700 42.300 302.300 4.400 9.210 198.263 76.080 279.400 1.280

10 Tola

GOLD 1,741.630

SELL DRAFT

295.300 742.130 3.330 277.700

221.000 46.244 363.900 36.490 5.540 0.031

724.660

300.800 4.400 9.060 75.980 279.000

Currency

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

278.500 275.585 436.990 366.765 298.040 737.505 75.800 76.445 74.225 392.025 46.238 2.441 5.241 3.106 3.401 6.331 683.150 3.675 8.935 5.865 3.370 92.510

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro

438.75 3.70 3.700 5.700 2.660 4.250 3.260 76.50 742.00 48.23 395.70 729.00 77.20 75.90

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

296.90 279.93 303.41 364.15

437.55 3.68 3.305 5.538 2.449 3.471 3.086 76.95 742.13 46.19 396.93 725.10 76.93 74.50

279.300 3.093 5.570 2.460 3.330 6.485 76.145 74.635 742.500 46.209 436.400 3.190 1.550 364.900 282.300 3.690

Al Mulla Exchange

UAE Exchange Center WLL Currency

Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

395.420 0.188 93.240 3.490 227.300

3.100 6.450 76.760 74.510 220.960 37.840 2.448 436.700

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 436.700 279.000

Sterling Pound US Dollar

Rate for Transfer

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

297.00 280.00 305.00 365.40

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

278.950 363.000 433.800 278.700 3.630 5.550 46.205 2.449 3.255 6.452 3.096 742.800 76.000 74.500

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

business GLOBAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Political changes to weigh on economy

By Markus Schomer

G

lobally, 2012 will be another year where politics takes precedence over economics. We are still dealing with the fallout from the 2008 recession and any prospects of global growth will depend largely on political decisions. Presidential elections in the US, France, Russia, Mexico and Turkey are likely to have a major impact on economic prospects. There will be a change in China’s leadership to a new political generation, which will have knock-on effects for the rest of Asia. Whilst the full impact of these events will not be felt until 2013 and beyond, expectations of changes in the political landscape will influence investor sentiment well before that.

We expect global GDP growth to slow to 3.5% in 2012. This is down slightly from 3.7% in 2011 and significantly down from 4.9% in 2010. However, the coming year should also mark the low point in the current economic cycle and the global recovery should reaccelerate in 2013. The main driver of the slower growth forecast is the developing world, where we see growth decelerating from 6.2% to 5.6%. Despite the undoubted influence of developing nations, we must remember that the US is still the biggest economy in the world and what happens there has consequences elsewhere, especially as the US provides a strong stimulus to export oriented economies around the world. There has been a recent pick-up in employment growth, evidence that business sentiment is improving, which is not just good news for the US, but for markets elsewhere as well. US macro trends should continue to improve in 2012, particularly in the very profitable and productive corporate sector, which was the bright spot in 2011. At year end, profits were on track to grow 9%, and we expect the sector to improve on that in 2012 with profit growth closer to 12%. Despite the appearance of tight credit conditions, US companies do not lack the financial ability to grow, rather the confidence in the economic outlook.

Across the Atlantic, the outlook is not so positive.

Even if the euro-zone debt crisis is heading for a solution, Europe is now facing renewed economic problems. Apart from those countries affected by the crisis, recession risks are most acute in France and the UK. Fiscal policy there will turn even more restrictive in 2012, in contrast to Germany, where the unemployment rate has fallen to a generational low and disposable household income is increasing at the fastest pace in nearly two decades.

Across the Middle East and North Africa, the picture is somewhat better. In contrast with other emerging markets, PineBridge forecasts that MENA growth is expected to pick up, to 4.1%, in 2012, suggesting the fallout from political instability in some MENA countries has not impacted overall growth prospects. This puts the region in a strong position globally, and whilst the consequences of political events in countries such as Libya and Egypt are still yet to fully play out, MENA can look ahead with confidence to the future. From an investor perspective, those MENA countries that are better understood and perceived to be politically more stable will continue to benefit from capital inflows compared to more unstable nations.

—Markus Schomer is Global Economic Strategist for PineBridge Investments.

ONTARIO: People gather for a rally dubbed a “London Day of Action Against Corporate Greed” in London, Ontario, Canada on Saturday. The workers were locked out after they rejected a contract offer that would have cut wages in half and slashed benefits at a time Caterpillar is reporting record profits. —AP

VW may complete takeover of Porsche this year BERLIN: Europe’s biggest automaker Volkswagen will likely this year complete its takeover of luxury car group Porsche after clearing key hurdles, according to a German media report yesterday. News weekly Der Spiegel writes in its upcoming issue that VW, which owns 49.9 percent of Porsche, may buy the 50.1-percent stake in the manufacturer of the iconic 911 car for 3.9 billion euros ($5.0 billion) in 2012. The report cited unnamed VW executives.

Porsche has built up massive debts as it looked to seal a tie-up with VW and Spiegel said two previous obstacles now look surmountable. Volkswagen will avoid having to pay more than 1.0 billion euros in taxes for completing the deal before 2014 by creating a holding company to buy and maintain the stake in Porsche, according to the report.

VW would also meet Porsche’s demands for independence by signing a contract giving the sports car maker control over its investments and models, Spiegel said. Porsche spectacularly tried to take over VW in 2008 but the attempt failed and the luxury car maker was in turn saved by Volkswagen.

A VW spokesman declined to comment on the details of the report. “But in principle, we aim to complete the transaction as quickly as possible,” he said.— AFP

Euro finance chiefs seek turning-point Another week of talks begins today BRUSSELS: European finance ministers launch another week of talks today, after which they hope a deal with banks to slash Greece’s debts and agreement on a new balanced budgets treaty will mark a turning-point in the debt crisis.

There are fresh headaches, with ministers also called to decide how to deal with non-euro Hungary’s bid to secure a new line of credit from the International Monetary Fund, and disagreement remaining over future government rescue funding both at European Union and IMF levels.

But in the run-up to a January 30 summit of EU leaders, with the fear that Europe is lurching back into recession, domestic political pressures are also weighing heavily. This is especially true for those seeking re-election, such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and the goal is to turn broaden the debate from austerity only towards how to generate growth. The discussions begin at 1330 GMT with ministers from the 17 currency partners that make up the Eurogroup primarily concerned with news from Athens, where the Greek government and private sector creditors are trying to settle terms for a massive debt write-down. Diplomatic sources do not expect the Eurogroup to take decisions regarding a planned second Greek bailout, which hinges on the outcome of these negotiations. The target for putting to bed the issue of so-called PSI, or private-sector involvement, is the summit, and “there’s a long way to go yet,” said one well-versed EU official. The real crunch date for Greece itself is a March 20 bottleneck for sovereign debt

repayments. Without a deal on PSI, it won’t get a second bailout, and without the second rescue, it won’t make those payments.

Into Monday evening, and the eurozone ministers will be joined by the European Union’s 10 other finance ministers plus European Parliament negotiators for what they hope will be final discussions on the budget pact to be signed by all save Britain, as well as a discussion on rescue funding arrangements. With Italy, Spain and France each holding successful bond auctions since S&P’s downgraded nine of the 17 euro states-France and Austria falling out of the Triple-A category-the pressure on ministers to bump up emergency bailout funding has receded. The IMF is now taking the lead here, prospecting among Group of 20 major economies for loans to boost its resources after euro-zone states pledged a combined 150 billion euros ($190 billion) last month. And after a G20 ministerial meet in Mexico in February, it will be the next EU summit on March 1-2 before the subject of how much the successor to the European Financial Stability Facility, the European Stability Mechanism, should have at its disposal on entry into force come July.

“Rescue packages and short-term liquidity are not a solution to the crisis,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said at the weekend. The budgetary pact is already all-but agreed, even if not everyone sees its value.

In the view of former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, one of the

Parliament negotiators, it “does not provide a response to the current crisis at such a crucial juncture with Europe on the edge of a recession.” Tuesday’s talks at EU level will likely move onto discussing the sort of growth primers France and Germany will be pushing at the two upcoming summits which include plans to use public initiatives to put young unemployed everywhere to work or into training. But Hungary should dominate proceedings, not least with Prime Minister Viktor Orban also in Brussels for meetings with the trio of figures that head the EU Council of governments, its executive Commission and the elected European Parliament.

Measures announced by Hungary to get its deficit back under control “are not sufficient,” said one senior EU diplomat.Orban is battling threatened legal action from Brussels over new laws some say threaten the independence of its central bank, but the key issue for finance ministers will be whether to follow EU economy commissioner Olli Rehn in condemning Budapest’s management of its public finances. As Hungary is not in the euro-zone, Brussels cannot hit Budapest with the sort of financial sanctions that new laws allow elsewhere. That means the only real stick which partners can use is a threat to withhold EU grants for poorer regions. This is tricky, with Hungary leading a majority among the 27 EU states rejecting Commission proposals to cut these cohesion funds-worth some 40 percent of all spending in the EU’s annual 130-billion-euro-plus budgetover the rest of the decade. — AFP

JAKARTA: Skylines and huts are seen side by side to fulfill Jakarta’s downtown. Indonesia’s designs on joining the top table of global economies has been boosted by its upgrade to investment status, but corruption and an egregious infrastructure are hurdles to full membership.— AFP

China’s drive for ‘green’ cars hits roadblocks SHANGHAI: Foreign and domestic car makers are struggling to sell environmentally friendly vehicles in China, the world’s largest auto market, even as Beijing pumps billions into clean energy. China wants five million “new energy” vehicles on the streets by 2020 to ease chronic pollution and reduce reliance on oil imports, but high prices, lack of infrastructure and consumer reluctance are creating major roadblocks. The number of electric and hybrid vehicles currently in the country is tiny at about 100,000, mostly in government fleets, according to an industry estimate.

A salesman at the main Shanghai showroom of Chinese car maker BYD said the dealer sold only one electric car and two hybrid cars-which combine a conventional internal combustion engine and an electric motor-last year. BYD, which is backed by US investment titan Warren Buffett, launched a fully electric vehicle for private buyers in October priced at 370,000 yuan ($60,000), though subsidies cut the cost by at least 16 percent.

“People hesitate to choose cars with a high price,” said BYD sales manager Zhang Jiankun. “Although the government can provide subsidies for alternative-energy cars, the lack of charging stations is a main concern.” China had an estimated 243 charging stations at the end of 2011, but Beijing plans to invest 100 billion yuan over the next 10 years to build up the new-energy vehicle sector as a whole, focusing on electric models. Foreign auto makers are also promoting the new tech-

nology in China. US giant General Motors imported its first Chevrolet Volts into China in December and will begin selling the hybrids in early 2012 at 13 dealerships in eight cities. But the Volt could suffer a potential image problem even as sales get under way in China as the vehicle faces a US government probe after damaged lithium batteries caught fire following crash tests.

GM says it has addressed the safety issue by reinforcing the battery. The company is also developing a separate electric vehicle with its Chinese partner, domestic auto giant SAIC Motor, which itself launched five new energy vehicles in November. “It seems every major company has its own electric-vehicle program,” Ray Bierzynski, executive director for electrification strategy of GM China, told reporters last year.

China overtook the US to become the world’s top auto market in 2009 and is increasingly important for global players as economic turmoil hits demand in developed markets. But the push for clean-energy cars comes as China’s overall sales slow. Auto sales rose just 2.5 percent to 18.51 million units last year, compared with an increase of more than 32 percent in 2010. China had hoped to vault its car companies into the top ranks of electricvehicle producers but in recent months has reconsidered that strategy given the technological lead of foreign firms, and is now focusing more on hybrids.

The government is keen to build up its domestic auto industry so it has slapped

import tariffs on some US passenger cars and sports utility vehicles, and said it would “withdraw support” for foreign investment in the sector. “At the beginning the objective was, literally, to leapfrog. They have realised this is far too over ambitious,” said Klaus Paur, director for automotive analysis at market research agency Ipsos in China.

“Currently, the government is re-visiting the strategy on (fully) electric vehicles.

This is why they push more into the hybrids,” he said. However, one industry executive said the move did not indicate a “dramatic shift” in China’s commitment to electrification.

“As we move down that path, there’s a more realistic view of how quickly people can move and how some of the challenges can be addressed,” Kevin Wale, president and managing director of GM China Group, told reporters. The challenge includes building the infrastructure for charging batteries and convincing consumers to trust the technology. China has set up 15 pilot zones for electric vehicles across the country to this aim. But in a country where car culture is only two decades old and fuel prices are controlled by the government, flashy luxury brands carry more appeal. “To me, the performance of a car is the top priority, including how powerful it is,” said marketing manager Gu Jiahuan, who is shopping for a car.

“Alternative-energy cars are not mature enough. And pure electric cars cannot go very far.” — AFP

UK profit warnings rise at fastest rate in 10 years LONDON: Profit warnings from British companies jumped more than 70 percent in the final three months of 2011, the biggest quarterly rise for a decade, as markets were rocked by economic uncertainty, Ernst & Young said yesterday.

Companies quoted on London’s main list and junior AIM market issued 88 profit warnings in the final quarter, up from 51 in the third quarter, the accountancy firm said. “As evidenced by the sharp jump in the number of warnings, 2011 was a tough year for many companies and this year is likely to continue in the

same vein with the gap between the winners and losers widening,” said Alan Hudson, head of Ernst & Young’s UK restructuring practice.

“Many businesses are still expanding profitably, but others the zombie companies - remain moribund by debt or defunct business models, unable to build value or gain momentum in these challenging economic conditions.” The hardest hit sector was retail, where an 8 percent fall in consumers’ disposable income led to the worst Christmas since 2008 for many shop groups.

Retailers issued 39 profit warn-

ings in 2011, more than in the whole of 2009 and 2010 combined, it said.

The pain has not eased in the early weeks of 2012, with clothing chain Peacocks calling in administrators, and Tesco issuing its first profit warning in living memory. Support services and software and computer services also suffered from weaker end markets, Ernst & Young said. The leap in warnings could mark the start of an upward trend that could continue well into 2012, Hudson said, although he added that recent highprofile warnings had lowered profit expectations. — Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

business

KSE shares end mixed GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) stocks ended yesterday’s trading session on a mixed note.

Despite a slim decline recorded

by KSE Price Index that ended the day 1.40 points (or 0.02 percent) lower, good performance of the markets blue-chip stocks pulled Global General Index to end the day in positive territory.

Global General Index (GGI) ended the day up by 0.02 percent, at 178.17 point. Market capitalization was up for the day, reaching KD29.15bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,797.1 point, shedding 1.40 points (0.02 percent) from its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 98 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 32 equities retreated versus 28 that advanced. Yesterday ’s advance was accompanied by mixed trading activity. Volume of shares traded declined by 0.19 percent, reaching 355.04mn shares. On the other hand, value of shares exchanged on the KSE surged by 10.89 percent, reaching KD30.76mn. Trading was intense on the counter of Hits Telecom Holding Company with 48.12mn of the company’s shares changing hands. Buying interest pushed the scrip 6.49 percent higher, to close at KD0.082.

In terms of top gainers, Ekttitab Holding Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 7.25 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.74. On the other hand, share price of Industrial & Financial Investments Company retreated by 8.77 percent and closed at KD0.026, making it the biggest decliners in the market.

Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro

Spain eyes change in 2012 deficit target

Sectors Among sectoral indices, only three indices managed to end today’s session on a positive note.

A gain of 1 percent on the stock of Kuwait Finance House (KFH), pushed the Global Banking Index 0.15 percent higher. Sources said that, board of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) met and endorsed FY1201 financial statements. The sources added that 4Q2011 will extend the bank’s previous success, expecting positive results.

Meanwhile, Global NonKuwaiti Index posted 0.64 percent in daily gains, on the back of a 1.06 percent advance on the counter of Ahli United Bank.

Fujairah Cement Industries Company was the top gainer in the sector. The scrip closed up by 7.07 percent at KD0.53.

Global Investment Index added 0.04 in daily gains buoyed by positive performance by several component stocks. AlMadina for Finance & Investment Company and Al Deera Holding Company were up 5.71 percent and 3.57 percent respectively.

Food Index spearheaded decliners today, with 1.41 percent in daily losses.

Share price of Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana) recoiled by 1.35 percent, to end the day at KD1.460. Similarly, Danah Al Safat Foodstuff Company shed 7.41 percent of its value, and closed at KD0.100.

The Real Estate Index shed 0.54 percent of its value, on the back of 2.33 percent drop on the counter of Mabanee Company.

Share price of Al-Mazaya Holding

Company and National Real Estate Company was down 3.08 percent and 1.75 percent respectively.

Corporate news Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority said yesterday it has hired HSBC to advise on plans to privatize the Gulf Arab state’s stock exchange and sell a stake in an initial public offering. The privatization plan, if completed, would make the Kuwaiti exchange the second listed bourse in the region after the Dubai Financial Market.

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $111.59pb on Thursday, compared with $111.78pb the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

MADRID: Spain’s public deficit target for this year should be changed because it is based on outdated growth forecasts, Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro said in an interview published yesterday.

Spain’s new conservative government has raised taxes and slashed spending since coming to power last month to try to meet a 2012 target agreed with the EU of cutting the deficit to 4.4 percent of gross domestic product.

It says the deficit hit around 8.0 percent of output last year, down from 9.3 percent in 2010 but way above the official 6.0-percent target agreed with Brussels by Spain’s previous socialist government. “It is obvious that when the target was set to reduce the deficit from 6.0 percent to 4.4 percent, it was based on a scenario of economic growth and not of recession as we find ourselves in now,” Montoro told daily La Vanguardia.

“When Brussels said that Spain should reduce the deficit to 4.4 percent it was because it predicted growth of 2.3 percent.

“That scenario would suppose a rise in tax revenues, but with a recession tax revenues will once again fall.” Spain’s new government expects the country

will go into recession this quarter. Last week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it expected the Spanish economy, the euro-zone’s fourth largest, would shrink by 1.7 percent this year after rising by an estimated 0.7 percent last year.

“The scenario has changed as the IMF has said, and the government is waiting for Brussels to also change its scenario and adapt it to the new situation,” Montoro said. The government, which came to power after November 20 elections, has announced spending cuts of 8.9 billion euros ($11.5 billion), including a public sector wage freeze, and tax increases on income, savings and property to bring in 6.3 billion euros. It has vowed to implement further measures to rein in the deficit leading many economists to believe that the government will raise Spain’s sales tax rate which at 18 percent is low by European standards. But Montoro ruled out a sales tax hike, saying it would hurt the lower classes and add to a reduction in consumer spending. “By how much has consumption fallen? Why would we raise the sales tax, so that it keeps falling?” the minister said. — AFP

25

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

business

US growth fears ease, euro-zone in focus NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT KUWAIT: We started the year with concerns about Chinese growth, European sovereign and bank recapitalization risks and questions over the sustainability of US economic growth. Those fears seem to be fading so far in 2012 as balances on deposits with the ECB dropped sharply this week and US jobless claims fell to their lowest level since March 2008. The ECB continued supporting Portuguese bonds and Spain has completed 19% of their funding needs for 2012 The major news that the IMF will attempt to increase its lending capacity by $500 billion eased investors’ fears.

Consequently, markets responded favorably despite the US Treasury denying any intention to seek additional resources for the IMF and the Bundesbank head Weidmann mentioning that he sees exceptional risks to the Euro zone economic outlook and reiterated his opposition to the ECB unlimited bond buying.

The main driver for markets in shaping sentiment remains the Greek debt Private Sector Involvement negotiations, which seem to be centered around a proposal that would see a haircut of around 68%, but the level of holdouts remains a big sticking point.

As a result, Greek PM Papademos continues to threaten the use of legislation to force acceptance if necessary.

Last but not least, rating agencies continued their assault on the European zone on Thursday with Moody’s affirming that global bank ratings are likely to be lowered this year and contended that most European banks are vulnerable to the Euro area debt crisis. Moody’s anticipates they will put the ratings of several of these banks under downgrade review in Q1 of 2012. On the foreign exchange side, the Euro broke the short-term downtrend and took out a number of stop losses. After hitting a new low of 1.2626

Fed to enter tricky waters INTEREST RATE WATCH WASHINGTON: The US Federal Reserve enters uncharted waters at its policy meeting this week as it reveals individual policymakers’ views on the future path of interest rates.

Fed-watchers generally expect the central bank will leave monetary policy essentially unchanged after the economy has recently shown some signs of an improving recovery from a deep recession. The Federal Open Market Committee policymakers have pledged to keep the key federal funds rate between zero and 0.25 percent through mid-2013 to support growth. The overnight interbank lending rate has been held at that historic low since December 2008.

There is speculation, however, that the FOMC may decide the economy needs extra juice to keep growth humming, particularly as Europe veers back toward recession amid the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis. But most analysts discounted the notion of the FOMC opting for further stimulus measures at the two-day meeting that opens Tuesday. Still, the FOMC meeting “should be eventful,” said Ryan Sweet and Aaron Smith at Moody’s Analytics.

“We expect significant changes to the (FOMC) statement and to the Federal Reserve’s quarterly economic projections.” All eyes will be on Ben Bernanke’s post-FOMC news conference. The Fed chairman will present the central bank’s current economic projections and discuss the panel’s monetary policy decision.

But attention also will be fixed on the Fed’s new communications policy which includes individual committee members’ rate projections and the timing of the first rate hike in the outlook reports.

“The immediate focus on Wednesday will be on two things: the timing of the first rate hike and any hints of QE3,” Societe Generale analysts said.

The Fed has undertaken two rounds of quantitative easing (QE), or asset purchases, to stimulate the economy. The Fed’s Beige Book report prepared for the meeting said the economy was slightly improving and growing at a “modest to moderate pace,” though the rate was still too weak to spur inflation.

The Fed, with a dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices, has highlighted a high unemployment rate -at 8.5 percent in December-and the depressed housing market as major obstacles to a sustainable recovery. Some analysts predicted the Fed would push the first rate hike back to 2014, noting that such an assumption already had been priced into the markets.

The change in the Fed communications strategy to include rate projections has been hailed as a giant step toward enhancing transparency, even a move toward setting a rate target. “The immediate benefit is that it will allow the FOMC to replace the implicit commitment of keeping rates near zero until mid-2013 with more flexible guidance,” Barclays Capital analysts said. But others warned that the new strategy could backfire, only upsetting markets, or prove a dud. “With all the new information being released, the chance for some communication miscue is high,” said Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts. “In time, enhancements to Fed transparency should reduce market volatility, but the transition period could be a bit rocky.” — AFP

at the beginning of the week, the Euro moved sharply higher to end of the week at 1.2930.

Despite the UK Nationwide’s consumer confidence index dropping in December, and the Guardian newspaper reporting the UK’s national debt level to 500% of GDP, the Sterling

Pound followed the Euro’s movement and positive market sentiment to close the week at 1.5576.

US job data In the largest one-week decline since the week of 24 September 2005, applications for unemployment insurance payments plunged by 50,000 to 352,000 in the week ended January 14, less by 30k than economists had forecasted. The Labor Department relies on reports from state agencies, and because many field offices were shut down on Monday, Thursday’s report represents an estimate. January is also known as a particularly volatile month.

The previous week’s figure was revised up to 402,000 from 399,000.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicated an expansion at the fastest rate in nine months in January.

The general business conditions index climbed 13.5 points from a revised 8.2

in December compared to expectations of 11. The index has been in a strong upward trend after remaining stuck below zero from June through October. New Orders Index rose eight points to 13.7 and the shipments index inched up to 21.7. Employment indexes were positive and higher, pointing to

higher employment levels and a longer average workweek. Future indexes conveyed a high degree of optimism about the six-month outlook, with the future general business conditions index rising nine points to 54.9, its highest level since January 2011.

Greece PSI negotiations Greece and its private bondholders continued negotiation last week in an attempt to reach a vital debt swap deal to avoid a messy default by Athens.

European leaders also agreed to keep the combined ESM/EFSF capacity at 500 billion euros, but will review it in March and may raise it by the permanent fund’s board of governors once it is operational, according to a draft treaty.

Finally, the ESM treaty will aim to create an incentive for the passage of the ‘fiscal compact’. Only countries that have started ratification of the compact

will have access to the ESM. In parallel, the International Monetary Fund announced Wednesday that it was seeking as much as $500 billion more to lend as it prepared to slash its forecasts of global growth.

Fitch ratings A Fitch Ratings director said Greece will soon default on its massive debt, according to a report by Reuters Tuesday. The news agency quoted Edward Parker, managing director for Fitch’s as saying “it will happen,” but the default will not be disorderly as some have feared. The big risk, the analyst added, is that of a “disorderly” default

by Greece, one that could rock markets around the world and create tougher credit conditions for other countries trying to roll over existing debt.

In response to the recent downgrade of France’s AAA credit rating, French President Nicolas Sarkozy attacked rating agencies this week by mentioning they do not set the economic policy of France and urged instead a focus on boosting growth and competitiveness to bring Europe out of the crisis. At a press conference following a Madrid meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Sarkozy said “We must respond with calm and put it into perspective. In my view, these decisions do not change anything. We have to reduce spending and improve competitiveness”. Sarkozy also pointed out that while France was downgraded by one agency on Friday, another agency confirmed on Monday that France will retain its triple-A rating.

China’s growth China real growth in GDP slowed further to 8.9% Y/Y in Q4 from 9.1% Y/Y in Q3, but stronger than market expectations of 8.7% Y/Y. A 2.0% Q/Q expansion shows the economy growth is stabilizing. China’s economy expanded

9.2% Y/Y in 2011 in line with market consensus, compared to a 9.4% Y/Y gain in 2010. Both industrial production and retail sales posted faster-thanexpected growth last month due to relatively strong holiday demand. There was some external liquidity drained from China’s banking system last month as outstanding FX purchases declined for the third consecutive months in December. However, the PBoC injected RMB 169 billion liquidity into the banking system at the beginning of the week.

Iran confronts Saudi Crude oil remains at the mercy of political events driven by the latest development in the Middle East. Iran issued a direct warning to Saudi Arabia against increasing its production of oil to compensate for any drop in Iranian exports due to sanctions. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi said “We invite Saudi officials to further reflect on and consider” their pledge to make up for any cut in oil exports adding such a move “will create all possible problems later” and are “not friendly signals”.

Gold positive Gold prices rose this week, in tandem with the general risk appetite, and with political tensions rising in the Middle East. Additionally, the weakening Chinese growth fuelled investor hopes for monetary stimulus from China trying to boost productivity through monetary easing.

On physical demand, India hiked its gold import duty by 90% and doubled its silver tax this week as the world’s biggest consumer of gold sought to increase revenues.

Kuwaiti dinar at 0.27835 The USDKWD opened at 0.27835 yesterday morning.

EU faces new credit crunch?

Crisis-hit euro-zone banks park bank deposits FRANKFURT: Crisis-hit euro-zone banks are parking record amounts of cash at the European Central Bank for overnight storage, despite low interest rates, indicating to some analysts the threat of a new credit crunch. Every day seems to bring a new record. On Wednesday, the ECB revealed that banks had handed it a staggering 528 billion euros ($682 billion) although only earning 0.25 percent on the cash.

In normal times, banks shy away from depositing cash at the ECB, preferring to lend any overnight surplus to other banks, where they win a higher return.

But analysts say that the crisis has spawned a lack of trust between banks, meaning that institutions are opting to store the money at the ultra-safe ECB rather than take the riskier route of lending it to their peers.

“The distrust between banks is certainly one of the main reasons that the ECB deposit facility is being used so massively,” said Stefan Schilbe, an economist at HSBC Trinkaus. The trend is all the more baffling as the ECB offered banks in

December three-year loans at very low rates of interest, which they greedily snapped up.

In total, 523 euro-zone banks borrowed 489 billion euros from the Frankfurt-based ECB. Authorities had hoped the banks would then lend on the cash to businesses and consumers to spark a recover y in the economy.

Politicians meanwhile hoped that the banks would use the money to buy the bonds of debt-wracked countries such as Italy and Spain, pushing down their unsustainable cost of borrowing.

But instead of this hoped-for distribution to the real economy, banks appear to be stocking the cash, perhaps to pay off their own debts, said Gilles Moec, an analyst at Deutsche Bank. “Maybe some of them have been tempted to deposit their cash at the ECB while waiting to pay off some debts,” he said, adding that banks had seen the three-year loans as a “windfall”.

Euro-zone banks have some 200 billion euros of debt to refinance in the first quarter of the year and around 600 bil-

lion euros over the whole year.

In addition, authorities are forcing 70 top banks around Europe to increase their capital reserves in a bid to bolster their defenses against the debt crisis, another reason analysts say banks are hoarding their cash. Moec added that a certain amount of patience was required, as it would take some time for better financing conditions enjoyed by banks to feed through into the economy.

“It takes three quarters for an improvement in banks’ financing conditions to be transferred to the non-financial sector,” he said.

As for the president of the ECB, Mario Draghi, he believes that the money is indeed sloshing around in the system as desired. By offering the unprecedented three-year loans, “we think we have avoided a major credit crunch even though in some parts of the (euro) area, this credit crunch is already on its way,” he told members of the European Parliament. “We really see evident signs that this money does not stay in the deposit facility, this money circulates in

the economy,” he had said a week earlier after the ECB’s monthly rate-setting meeting. “By and large, the banks that have borrowed the money from the ECB are not the same that are redepositing the money with the ECB,” added Draghi.

Indeed, Draghi can point to a slew of positive developments last week that suggest he might be correct and that fears of a credit crunch are overblown.

First, hugely successful bond auctions in Spain and Italy indicated that banks in those two countries are indeed using the windfall to snap up the instruments at a good price.

According to analysis by Morgan Stanley bank, it was precisely Spanish and Italian banks that made most use of the three-year loans. Second, some parts of the crucial interbank lending market have improved since the ECB’s gift of cheap loans, said Schilbe, the analyst from HSBC Trinkaus.

Draghi said that “we have also seen the reopening of some unsecured bank bond markets, which had completely shut down” since the loans. — AFP

Portugal shoemakers offer hope in economic gloom

BERN: A group of protesters is surrounded by riot police during an anti World Economic Forum, WEF, demonstration in Bern. The WEF takes place from Jan 25 to 28 in Davos. —AP

Davos elites eye reforms of ‘outdated’ capitalism ZURICH: Economic and political elites meeting this week at the Swiss resort of Davos will be asked to urgently find ways to reform a capitalist system that has been described as “outdated and crumbling.” “We have a general morality gap, we are over-leveraged, we have neglected to invest in the future, we have undermined social coherence, and we are in danger of completely losing the confidence of future generations,” said Klaus Schwab, host and founder of the annual World Economic Forum.

“Solving problems in the context of outdated and crumbling models will only dig us deeper into the hole. “We are in an era of profound change that urgently requires new ways of thinking instead of more business-as-usual,” the 73-year-old said, adding that “capitalism in its current form, has no place in the world around us.” Some 1,600 economic and political leaders, including 40 heads of states and governments, will be asked to come up with new ideas as they con-

verge at eastern Switzerland’s chic ski station for the 42nd edition of the fiveday World Economic Forum which opens Wednesday.

The euro-zone’s failure to get a grip on its debt crisis and the specter this is casting over the global economy will dominate discussions. “The main issue would be the preoccupation with the global economy. There will be relatively less conversation about social responsibility and environment issues-those tend to come to the fore when the economy is doing well,” John Quelch, dean of the China European International Business School, told AFP. “The main conversation will be about a deficit of leadership in Europe as a prime problem,” he added.

The annual talk-shop comes barely a week after the euro-zone’s reputation took a further battering, as ratings agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the credit-worthiness of nine euro-zone countries, including stripping France of its triple-A grade. — AFP

GUIMARAES, Portugal: Amid all the gloom and doom over debt-stricken Portugal there is a ray of light-shoemaking, one of the oldest and most traditional industries, had a record year in 2011 on strong exports. The shoemaker companies, which sell nearly all their production overseas, registered 17 percent growth last year, according to industry group APICCAPS. For the nine months to September 2011, sales totalled 1.23 billion euros ($1.6 billion), “nearly as much in all of 2010,” it said.

Exports continue to drive growth, with 95 percent of output going to some 130 countries, especially in northern Europe where Portuguese footwear has established markets under a slew of eye-catching brands.

Dkode, Nobrand, Camport, Eject, Mack James, Softwaves, Fly London-the names are all chosen to have an AngloSaxon ring to them so they stand out in a very competitive market.

Kyaia, which markets its Fly London brand worldwide, posted sales of 50 million euros and employs over 500 people in a Portugal which was bailed out last year by the EU and International Monetary Fund, joining Greece and Ireland on the euro-zone casualty list.

“More than 90 percent of our production is destined for export,” said Fortunato Frederico, a former ordinary worker who has made Kyaia one of the country’s top shoemakers, standing in front of a table covered with different

models of the marque which mixes classic with modern styling. The shoemaking industry is concentrated in northern Portugal’s Minho region and is made up of mostly small- and medium-sized companies which have managed to survive despite the challenges from Asian competitors.

Unlike the textile industry, which has suffered badly from the economic slowdown and cheaper products made in Asia and other emerging markets, ‘Made in Portugal’ shoes have held up well, fighting alongside their Spanish and Italian rivals to hold on to market share. — AFP

GUIMARAES, Portugal: Demonstrators are seen during a 7 km march against the government’s employment and austerity measures Saturday in Guimaraes, Portugal. — AP

26

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

business The EC7

The Panda

The EC 8

Geely - the global car from China now in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait Automotive Imports Co WLL (KAICO) — Al Shaya & Al Sagar— one of Kuwait’s leading automotive company, with renowned brands like Mazda, Peugeot, Mobil, Michelin, Apollo, Eicher, BAW recently signed the contract with Geely Holding Group for Geely automobile distribution in Kuwait.

Yousef Al-Shaya said “This is a historic day for KAICO and we are extremely proud to have joined hands with GEELY, the fastest growing privately owned automotive brand from China - who are known to make quality cars that are the safest, most environment friendly and energy efficient”. He Added “Geely are trying to gain International stature and have successfully sold around half million units in the year 2011.We are constructing a new 5000m≤ - 3S facility for Geely in the Automotive hub of

Kuwait along the fourth ring road.

New models of Geely Cars will be available in Kuwait by early 2012”.

Joe Xiong - Geely’s Vice GM said, “Geely is very happy to have a professional partner like KAICO. Geely Cars are doing well all over the world”. He added “We have acquired Volvo for $1.8b and DSI - the second largest automatic transmission company in Australia. “ We have collaboration with Johnson Controls - US and Dayee South Korea for spareparts. We have six car assembly and powertrain manufacturing plants all over China. We have 900 dealers, 1000 service outlets and over 19,000 Employees in China.

We plan to sell about 2 million units by the year 2015, with a 5.8 percent market share in China. It is an exciting road for Geely moving ahead into the future”.

Ashish Tandon - KAICO’s General Manager said “We are very pleased to be associated with Geely”. He added

“We will be launching three models of Geely Cars in Kuwait. They are The Panda, The EC7 and The EC8. Panda is

Seated from the left - Yousef Al Shaya (Chief Executive Officer - KAICO) with Joe Xiong (Vice General Manager - Geely); Standing from the left - Tanveer Attaullah (Deputy General Manager - KAICO), Ashish Tandon (General Manager - KAICO) and Scott Qiu (Sales Manager - Geely).

a compact 1.3L car with an attractive look & style, it can serve well as a delivery car for local restaurants. The EC7 is a beautiful mid-sized 1.8L Car, which can serve as a low cost option company car for staff in the service industry. The EC8 is a flagship car available in 2L & 2.4L with a Grander look & feel, suited as a company car for managers. All the above models have been rigorously tested in harsh peak summer conditions in Kuwait & Saudi Arabia. Geely cars meet the toughest safety standards of the European E-NCap. All Geely cars are priced most attractively & will definitely attract all especially the budget buyers.

KAICO always gives the best to its customers through high quality products and prompt services to gain customers for life in line with KAICO’s philosophy “Customer is #1”.

Shell initiative to expand Kuwait’s gas industry ‘Natural Gas Chair’ at KU’s College of Engineering and Petroleum

Doha Bank achieves commendable results KUWAIT: Sheikh Fahad bin Mohammed bin Jabor Al-Thani, the Chairman of Doha Bank announced that the board of directors in its meeting held on 18 January 2012 has approved the draft audited financial statements for the year 2011. He also announced that the bank’s net profit reached QR 1,241 million in comparison to 1,054 million in 2010, with a growth of 17.7%. He added that at the same meeting, the board of directors has decided to submit a recommendation to the General Assembly to approve the distribution of cash dividends to the shareholders of 45% from the paid up capital i.e. QR 4.50 for each share.

He further added that the audited financial statements, declared net profit and recommended distribution percentage are all subject to the approval of the controlling authorities and the General Assembly of the Shareholders.

Sheikh Fahad also said that the bank has achieved noticeable growth rates in all financial indicators. The total assets rose from QR 47.2 billion in 2010 to QR 52.4 billion in 2011 representing a growth of 11.0%. The total loans and advances rose from QR 26.5 billion in 2010 to QR 30.7 billion in 2011, representing a growth of 15.7 %. Customers’ deposits grew by 2.8%, where the total deposits rose from QR 30.8 billion in 2010 to QR 31.7 billion in 2011 and the total equity of shareholders reached by the end of the year QR 7.1 billion which is an increase of 17.3% from the previous year.

The earnings per share was QR 6.03.

The return on average shareholders’ equity and the return on average assets were an impressive 22.0% and 2.49% respectively.

Doha Bank’s successful results are largely attributable to the Bank’s Strategy to innovate, diversify and capitalize on market synergies, as it continues to increase shareholder value.

Highlighting Doha Bank’s contribution towards the Qatar National Vision 2030, R Seetharaman, Group Chief Executive Officer said, “Doha Bank is continually striving to create job opportunities for Qatari citizens and to fully participate in the aims and achievements of the Qatar National Vision 2030 set forth by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar. Doha bank Management has adopted a five-year strategy to increase the percentage of Qatari employees in the bank in every department by executing a number of plans that aim at attracting and retaining the national competencies through enrolling them in training and development programs that motivate and lend a helping hand to them to progress to

higher job grades.

These programs have proved to be very effective as the percentage of Qatari employees has crossed 25% in 2011. In line with the Qatar Central bank’s directive, which prohibits conventional banks from entering into any new Islamic banking business, Doha Islamic services have been discontinued by the end of 2011. In 2011 new Representative Offices were opened in Abu Dhabi and Germany. The Bank has also received the license for a branch in Abu Dhabi and intends to become fully operative in early 2012.

Doha Bank also inaugurated two new branches at Umm Salal and Aspire Zone, three new electronic branches in Moaither, Qatar Petroleum Handassa, Parco mall and the first Payroll Card Centre e-Branch to cater to the employees of corporate customers who benefit from the Payroll Card solution package.

Doha Bank also inaugurated its new Corporate Service Center which is designed to offer a number of cash related services. In addition to this Doha Bank Assurance Company LLC (DBAC), a 100% owned subsidiary of Doha Bank has been awarded the Retail Insurance operating license.

On the Retail front, R Seetharaman highlighted that, “Doha bank launched, the marvelous 25% cash back offer with multiple opportunities for Free for Life Dream Credit Cards holders. Similarly, Al Dana with a total of 20.22 Kg of Gold a mega prize, proved to be the greatest engagement program running with distinction and yielding the highest chances with more winners and larger than life prizes.

KUWAIT: Kuwait University and Shell yesterday signed a sponsorship agreement to establish a new Professorial Chair in Gas for the College of Engineering and Petroleum. The new chair, to be known as the “Shell Natural Gas Chair” will focus on the development of a research and teaching program for the safe and efficient management of the natural gas fields in Kuwait, the conceptual basis for which was initiated by Dr Ali Akbar, the Chairman of Petroleum Engineering Department at Kuwait University, with long standing experience and expertise in the field.

The signing ceremony was formalized in the presence of Prof Abdullatif Al-Bader, President of Kuwait University, Ahmad Atallah, Chairman of Shell Companies in Kuwait, Prof Hasan Al-Sanad, Vice President for Research, Prof Husain Al-Khaiat, Dean of Engineering, Dr Ali Akbar, Chairman of Petroleum Engineering Department, and many other representatives from Kuwait University and Shell Companies in Kuwait.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Abdullatif Al-Bader, President, Kuwait University, mentioned that Kuwait University added a significant new international dimension to its scientific programs by launching the Research Chair program during 2010, providing basis for attracting world renowned scientists and international experts who could strengthen the institutional scientific foundations through their expertise, experience and caliber. Today, Kuwait University makes a strategic new beginning in this direction, by entering into a valued partnership with Shell, laying practical grounds for the “Shell Natural Gas Chair” at Kuwait University, to energize scientific research in the sphere of sustainable energy and strengthen institutional potential and capabilities in the natural gas sciences, through advanced research, training and knowledge-sharing.

“I anticipate a new generation of Kuwaiti engineers, nurtured in a scientific environment, developing specialized skills in the field of natural gas, and assuming key roles in developing and advancing the local gas industry, which is a vital energy resource for the State of Kuwait.

With “Shell Natural Gas Chair”, we take our first step in this direction, and express our sincere thanks to Shell for providing our students and researchers with opportunities for raising

KUWAIT: Ahmad Atallah, Chairman of Shell Companies in Kuwait and Prof Abdullatif AlBader, President, Kuwait University sign the sponsorship agreement. the spectrum of scientific research in this critical area at Kuwait University.”

Elaborating on the purpose and expectations of the “Shell Natural Gas Chair” at Kuwait University, Prof. Hasan Al-Sanad, Vice President for Research, said that “our objective is to create an enabling environment that could encourage scientific research in the field of natural gas, a valued energy resource for the state Kuwait.

The intent is to bring home the benefit of established scientists in the field of natural gas, by offering a dedicated research chair, which would critically involve them in advancing research in the sphere of natural gas, enriching our capacity and capabilities.

Kuwait University looks forward to the implementations of the “Shell Natural Gas Chair” at the College of Engineering and Petroleum in partnership with Shell.”

Ahmad Atallah, Chairman of Shell Companies in Kuwait said: “This new initiative is part of our ongoing partnership with Kuwait University and in line with our commitment to supporting Kuwait lays the foundations for a sustainable energy future. Natural gas is a crit-

ical resource for Kuwait; hence the successful and efficient exploitation of this major resource depends heavily on the use of advanced technology and skilled engineers.

“The Shell Natural Gas Chair will establish a specialized research program in Natural Gas, and will provide a learning platform for young engineers to gain valuable background and knowledge needed to continue the future development and growth of this important industry in Kuwait. Shell is committed to helping the next generation of Kuwaiti engineers to tackle natural gas-related challenges professionally, so that they are equipped with the right skills when they enter the business world.”

Shell’s contribution over three years aims at establishing an academic and research program in Natural Gas Studies. The “Shell Natural Gas Chair” is intended to develop and sustain an internationally recognized research program in Natural Gas Studies, while overseeing the long-term development and delivery of related academic goals at Kuwait University, and its wide recognition in the Gulf region and beyond.

Al-Tijari concludes ‘Shop and Save’ campaign at Electrozan and Al-Zaer

Ramzi Sabouri

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait concluded its marketing campaign launched to its credit and prepaid cardholders and which continued for three months from 20th October to 20th January 2012. The campaign was highly commendable and appreciated by customers who seized the opportunity to shop at Electrozan and Al-Zaer showrooms, where they have made their required purchases and cash-back up to 20% of the value of their purchases. The campaign was not confined only to availing customers the chance to receive a predetermined percentage of cash-back on their purchases as announced by Al-Tijari at the beginning of the campaign, but the Bank increased the cash-back percentage for a given number of days and occasion throughout the campaign which extended to three months, and this was positively reflected on thereby Al-Tijari customers

holders of these cards.

Commenting on the conclusion of this campaign and the success it has realized Ramzi Sabouri, Executive Manager, Sales and Marketing Department at Retail Banking Division said “Al-Tijari- has opted, through its ongoing endeavors - to reward its credit and prepaid cardholders by giving them chances to benefit cash-back through such especially customer tailored marketing campaigns, where customer got the opportunity to shop at various retailers and stores and enjoy discounts in the form of cash-back to their accounts and this was the case with the campaign launched recently by the Bank in cooperation with Electrozan and Al-Zaer showrooms and which was another success owing to some reasons, among which is the long period of the campaign which extended to three months add to this the cash-back per-

centage which was increased for a number of days throughout the campaign. Sabouri emphasized that the Sales and Marketing Department at the Retail Banking Division expends considerable efforts to enhance means of communication with Al-Tijari customers within comprehensive and customized marketing programs whose prime objective is to reward customers when shopping using Al-Tijari cards.

Al-Sabouri concluded his press statement confirming that Al-Tijari will continue its marketing campaigns and programs launched to its customers unveiling the fact that several surprises and marketing campaigns are still remaining in the pipelines which will work for attaining CBK customer segments utmost stratification and that cardholders will get the cash back deposited in their accounts by the end of the month.

27

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

It’s personal: You spend more time with music Vinyl records make world go around again

ST LOUIS: Jim McKelvey, Co-Founder-Instructor for Third Degree Glass Factory presents the Square, a new electronic payment system developed

by Twitter founder. —MCT

Will a tiny Square change the way you shop?

MISSORI: Wallets may soon be going the way of typewriters, pay phones and videocassette recorders. Oh, they’ll still be a great place to carry photos, receipts and odd slips of paper, but technology forecasters say we’ll soon be reaching for cellphones when it’s time to pay or be paid. It’s a dream that Kevin Stock is ready to live. For nearly a year, Stock, of St Louis, has been carrying around a small white plastic device he can attach to his phone at a moment’s notice, creating his very own credit card terminal. All he needs is someone willing to play along.

“I’ve looked for opportunities, for sure,” Stock said. “But I haven’t been too successful.” So far, the only taker has been his roommate. Once a month they tally up their bills, and Stock collects what he is owed through a swipe of his roommate’s credit card. And while Stock has been able to travel no further down the mobile payment path, industry experts say it’s only a matter of timemost say it’s several years out-before we witness a radical shift in the way we exchange cash.

“I don’t think it’s going to go away overnight or in the next year. But mobile payments is where it’s headed,” said Trevor Dryer, head of product management, mobile payments and point-ofsale for financial software maker Intuit.

Already, the financial sector is crawling with companies hoping to carve out a piece of a market that sees billions upon billions of dollars changing hands every year in the form of cash.

Much of that exchanging is done by choice, with some people simply preferring to deal in cash or checks. But there’s also the fact that small businesses often find it too expensive to maintain a merchant account-required to accept credit card payments. Getting around that was the inspiration behind the Square device carried by Stock. Square, whose founders include St. Louis native and Twitter inventor Jack Dorsey, offers credit card processing services to pretty much anyone with the right smartphone-most iPhones and Android-based phones.

The service is easy to use. An application links your phone and bank account, while the small card reader (the company gives them away) plugs into the earplug jack. From there, you just need someone willing to hand you a credit card and sign the screen with their finger. A day or so later, the money shows up in your bank about, minus a 2.75 percent fee.

The 2-year-old firm has shipped more than 800,000 card readers and is now processing $2 billion in payments annually. But while that sounds like a lot of money, keep in mind that the nation rings up $2 trillion annually in credit card charges. Square is proving popular with a wide range of users, including musicians, massage therapists, restaurants and craft fair vendors.

“Right now, there are 26 million small businesses (in the nation) that only accept cash. It’s a huge market,” said spokeswoman Lindsay Wiese. Until September, that market included St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum group that now uses Square a couple of times a month to sell CDs, T-shirts and other souvenirs after shows.

So far, it’s tough to say how much of a boost they’re getting from the device.

But Junsei Ito, the group’s treasurer, said they made 20 credit card sales during a three-day Japanese festival over Labor Day Weekend.

“It seems like people buy more,” Ito said. “They don’t tend to carry a lot of cash these days. And they don’t carry checks, either.” Similar to Square is Intuit’s GoPayment system, which also uses a card reader to send money either to a bank account or a prepaid credit card.

Intuit’s mobile division is processing some $5 billion a year in credit card charges, said Dryer, the company ’s mobile payments chief.

And while it started as a way to offer contractors, plumbers and electricians an easy way to take credit cards, the company loves to point out that Girl Scouts use the devices while hawking their cookies door to door. “They are probably using their parents’ phones,” Dryer said. “But it’s a testament to how simple this product is that 9-year-old girls are using it.”

Other systems have looked for ways to remove the physical credit card from the equation. Among them are those using what’s known as near field communication, or NFC. Basically, it lets two devices exchange money when they come into contact with each other.

The technology is at the heart of MasterCard’s PayPass system, in which users tap their credit cards against a PayPass terminal to complete a purchase.

In recent years, MasterCard has teamed with Google and several phone and financial services firms to create Google Wallet.

Phones equipped with the technology can be used much like credit cards-they make payments simply by tapping them against an NFC terminal.

Several phone developers have included NFC in their devices, with BlackBerry and Nokia making plans to do so.

Google’s Android-based devices have it, though the payment service suffered a blow recently when Verizon Wireless blocked its use in the new Galaxy Nexus phone. Verizon is part of a consortium called ISIS that is developing its own payment system.

While MasterCard sees potential in the technology-and the speed with which these trends can catch on-the company isn’t ready to sing the death of plastic.

There are, after all, some advantages in having that physical card, said James Anderson, group head of mobile for MasterCard. Among them, he said: “The batteries don’t go flat.”

One young startup in Des Moines, Iowa, however, is trying to create a new payment system in which credit cards never enter the picture. Dwolla relies on bank accounts and actually prohibits the use of credit cards. Dwolla’s cost structure is simple: You pay 25 cents for any transaction, regardless of size.

Eliminating credit cards from the system removes the need to collect the types of fees-generally in the 3 percent range-charged on every credit card transaction, said Ben Milne, the company’s founder. Without the credit card fees, he said there’s no reason to base charges on the size of the transaction. “The cost to move $1 million is the cost to move a dollar,” Milne said. Not that they come close to moving that much money at any one time. The company’s average transaction is around $450, with a maximum of $10,000 for businesses and $5,000 for consumers. Still, Dwolla is on pace to handle more than $350 million worth of transactions over the next year. And with $20 trillion spent every year in cash transactions, Milne sees a lot of room for growth: “It’s likely the biggest market in the world.”

Still, for the Squares, Dwollas, Google Wallets, clearXchanges and GoPayments of the world to achieve widespread acceptance, some things need to happen.

Among other things, experts say, there are too many participants. And they expect a wave of acquisitions and failures to thin the herd. And many of the systems, at least in their present incarnations, are simply too cumbersome, they say.

Andy Schmidt, research director for Commercial Banking & Payments for TowerGroup, believes we’ll eventually get to the point where payments are all based on the simple exchange of phone numbers and email addresses. As Stock from St. Louis has seen, people are often reluctant to go through the hassle of pulling out their credit cards for minor exchanges.

“It’s not so much that you might capture my credit card information,” Schmidt said. “It’s that it’s quicker to give you cash.

That’s what you are fighting.” There also are concerns about the potential for identity theft and credit card fraud as credit card information is stored and transmitted through cellphones. Michelle Jun, a senior attorney for Consumers Union, said consumers should make sure they are protected against fraud.

In general, the best protections are provided by those based on credit cards and, to a lesser degree, debit cards. Both offer caps on liability in the event of fraud or identity theft. More vulnerable are those that rely on prepaid cards or that link directly to a cellphone account.

“Unfortunately, all of the different protections aren’t the same,” Jun said. “Make sure you know what you are getting into before you start charging away.” —MCT

NEW YORK: In the brave new world of MP3 players, compact discs are dying, cassettes are Stone Age, and old-fashioned vinyl records... they’re back! It might seem that nothing short of a wind-up gramophone could be more out of place today than the nostalgia-laden, cracklysounding 33 and 45 RPM disc.

Yet in his Brooklyn, New York, factory, 40-year-old Thomas Bernich churns them out by the tens of thousands, feeding a vinyl revival that has record decks-and cash tills-spinning.

“It’s my baby,” Bernich said in his spartan office at Brooklynphono.

“It’s growing.”

The small plant in a blue collar neighborhood hums with the sound of machines and spaghetti-like rows of pipes delivering ground-up vinyl to presses where the material reemerges as shiny albums etched with nearinvisible, music-filled spirals.

Bernich started on a shoestring 10 years ago. Now he has four full-time employees and two part-time, manufacturing a quarter of a million discs a year, with plans to double capacity. In an age of near-instant music downloads and entire libraries stored in gizmos the size of a cigarette lighter, the arcane process of making records defies convention. But the market is vibrant.

Alan Bayer, who runs the online record store vinylrevinyl.com, said records refuse to go the way of the crumbling cassette tape or passe CD. “The only music stores that have managed to stay in business in my area are ones that devote an important percentage of their stores to vinyl records,” he said in an email from California. Purists swear that music sounds better from records than from compressed digital files. Collectors love the hunt for rare, scratch-free recordings, not to mention the art-filled sleeves. Young DJs, or turntablists, turn their parents’ fusty old technology into the

hippest of night-club tools, while bands looking to make a name for themselves commission records so that they can stand out in the sea of YouTube videos and downloads.

president of ForeverVinyl.com, an appraisal service and dealer, said sales of newly minted records were for the first time overtaking those of pre-existing records. Meanwhile, the pre-

NEW YORK: Thomas Bernich checks albums as they come out of one of his vinyl pressing machines. —AFP

NEW YORK: Thomas Bernich checks one of his albums as it comes out of one of his vinyl pressing machines. —AFP Labels take them seriously “We give the band a record, they make 300 records, then drive around the country for the summer playing and the records all get sold out of the back of the van,” Bernich said. Other than helping to create a fan base, fresh bands with a shiny record often find the labels “take them very seriously.” Scott Neuman,

‘Conditional coupons’ and increasingly malicious mass mailings Kaspersky Lab announces the publication of its spam report for December 2011. The last month of the year was predictably quiet - compared to November the share of spam in email traffic fell 4.4 percentage points and averaged 76.2% for the month.

The lull in business in the run-up to the holidays means botnets are hamstrung by empty offices and silent computers, while the spammers themselves often take a break for the festive season. However, even the approach of Christmas doesn’t prevent them from coming up with new tactics to attract users to their mass mailings. One of the latest ploys has been the use of coupon services to boost demand for products that are widely advertised in spam.

Distributors of German pharmaceutical spam concluded that offering a ‘conditional coupon’ with a 10% discount would increase demand for the medications they sell.

“We still have not detected any malicious attachments disguised as coupons, although we expect that these will show up in spam sooner or later,” warns Maria Namestnikova, Senior Spam Analyst at Kaspersky Lab. “Anything and everything that is in demand on the Internet is eventually added to the spammers’ arsenals in one way or another. Primarily, new approaches are typically used by the participants of affiliate programs that send out spam advertising medications and replicas of luxury goods. They are later joined by distributors of malicious code.”

Malicious files, by the way, were detected in 4% of all email traffic in December, which was an increase of 1 percentage point compared to November’s figure. A third of all Kaspersky Lab email antivirus detections were for mail emanating from Russia and the US. The malicious program most frequently detected remains TrojanSpy.HTML. Fraud.gen (11%) - a Trojan designed to look like a registration web page for a financial organization or some other online service.

When it came to spam sources in December, India remained on top, accounting for 12.43% of all spam, followed by Indonesia, Brazil and Peru.

Significant movers among this particular rating in December were South Korea falling from second to fifth place and the UK, which fell from seventh to seventeenth. Remarkably, the latter started the month as the eighth biggest source of spam but had fallen to 53rd by the final week of December.

owned market, he said, “is being flooded” by people emptying out their basements in search of a quick buck. Retailers will pay about 25 cents for a single, ordinary record or sleeve, then resell for between $1-$5, he said. But more sought-after editions quickly go for $100 or far more.

Neuman said he’d got $10,000 for a rare sleeve to the Rolling

Stones’ album “Street Fighting Man”. The cover, depicting a policeman beating a man, had been withdrawn soon after release because of complaints.

Although thousands were made, only a handful survive. “You have people who mine for gold and if they get an ounce of gold after digging in dirt for days and days they’re happy,” he said. “It’s like that.” Vinyl fans say there’s also something in the physical attractiveness of the record and the ritual of using turntables that the MP3, like the CD, cannot match.

“It’s personal. You get to spend more time with the music,” said Jeff Ogiba, who opened Black Gold, a Brooklyn records store and coffee shop, 18 months ago. “The last decade and a half has been an information age, so there are a lot of things that are intangible. People want to go out and have physically tangible things because now you press a button and a package comes to your door,” Ogiba said.

Bernich says making records is not all fun. “It’s very over-worked and underpaid,” he said. And he likens the manufacturing process, dependent on variables such as air temperature and inconsistent chemical components in the vinyl, to “a moving target, a shot in the dark”.

But there is magic, too. At Brooklynphono all of last year’s production was made from recycled records-mountains of Neil Young discs and their ilk pulled from musty old cupboards and shelves, then smashed, melted, and reborn as the very latest releases. When there are sound quality problems, Bernich will exchange the great, heaving machines of his shop floor for a microscope through which he can examine the music-filled grooves for flaws. A lifelong mechanic with the heart of an artist, Bernich says record-making makes his world go round.

“I’m in a passionate state of mind,” he said. —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E Bird flu kills second person in China BEIJING: A man in southwest China who contracted the bird flu virus died yesterday, health authorities said, the second human death from the virulent disease in the country in just under a month.

The news comes after neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia also reported deaths from avian influenza, and after chickens tested positive for the H5N1 virus in Hong Kong, prompting a mass cull of birds. The latest Chinese victim fell ill on January 6 and was admitted to hospital in Guiyang-capital of Guizhou province-where his condition rapidly deteriorated, the provincial health department said in a statement. Tests on the patient before he died confirmed he had contracted the H5N1 virus, it added. “So far, 71 people who had close contact with the victim have not developed abnormal symptoms,” the health department said.

He is the second man to die from bird flu in China in less than a month, after a bus driver in the southern province of Guangdong passed away from the disease on December 31. The latest death brings to 28 the number of people in China who have died from the disease-which is fatal in humans in about 60 percent of cases-since 2003, out of 42 reported human cases.

The Hong Kong Department of Health said in a statement yesterday it had been notified of the case by the mainland’s health authorities, which said the patient was 39 years old. Authorities from Hong Kong and the mainland have been working closely together since three chickens in the Chinese territory tested positive for the H5N1 virus in mid December.

Most human infections are the result of direct contact with infected birds, and the virus does not pass easily among humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has never identified a “sustained human-to-human spread” of the virus since it re-emerged in 2003.

But according to the Hong Kong health department, the Guizhou province victim, who has not been named, had not reported any obvious exposure to poultry before the onset of symptoms. The Guangdong victim, whose surname was Chen, had not had any direct contact with poultry either in the month before he was taken ill, nor had he left the bustling southern metropolis of Shenzhen where he lived. Aside from China, Vietnam on Thursday reported its first human death from the virus in nearly two years, and the disease also claimed the life of a toddler in Cambodia.

Indonesia, meanwhile, on Friday reported its second human death from bird flu this year when a five-year-old girl who recently lost her relative to the deadly virus also passed away. China is considered one of the nations most at risk of bird flu epidemics because it has the world’s biggest poultry population and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans. But the Guizhou health department sought to ease concerns on Sunday, saying bird flu was “preventable, controllable and treatable.” All in all, the avian influenza virus has killed more than 330 people around the world, and scientists fear it could mutate into a form readily transmissible between humans, with the potential to cause millions of deaths.

Highlighting those fears, the WHO said last month it was “deeply concerned” about research into whether H5N1 could be made more transmissible between humans after mutant strains were produced in labs. Two separate research teams-one in the Netherlands and the other in the United States-separately found ways to alter the virus so it could pass easily between mammals. — AFP

Mexico clamps down on ‘miracle cure’ ads MEXICO CITY: Mexico enacted tough new rules to ban advertising of “miracle cures” for weight loss, sagging body parts and more serious illnesses like prostate ailments, chronic fatigue and even cancer. Mexico has a long history of faith healers and home remedies, but the problem has come to a head in the last few years with a constant stream of ads on television for more “scientific” sounding creams that supposedly lift or enlarge breast and buttocks, magnets that help users lose weight, or pills and powders that cure gastric problems or diabetes.

In a country with levels of diabetes and obesity among the highest in the world, the combination of a sick population and fake cures can be deadly. “This is a fraud,” said regulator Mikel Arriola, whose Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks is the agency in charge of regulating pharmaceuticals in Mexico. “It is a very serious public health problem, because people take these things instead of going to the doctor ... they lose time in getting treatment or getting cured.”

Under the new rules, which take effect in 30 days, authorities can order media outlets to remove such advertising within 24 hours, and it steeply raises fines that can be levied on manufacturers and distributors that advertise the products.

The rules require that any product making a therapeutic claim will first have to prove it is listed in Mexico’s pharmaceutical register. The register requires scientific proof of effectiveness and a scientific description of how the medicine or medical apparatus achieves its claimed effects.

That is probably not going to be possible for products like “Acu-Mag.” Its advertising purports that when the tiny pad with eight bumps is placed in the outer ear and massaged a few minutes each day, it helps customers lose weight through what ads call “auricular therapy” - an alternative medicine supposedly derived from acupuncture.

According to the manufacturer’s published claims, the pad “helps you lose weight ten times faster than any other (method) ... eliminates anxiety, burns the fat on your body, improves digestion.” Arriola said the ad should no longer be able to air because it makes claims of medical treatment. Nor should ads for an herbal supplement called Prostaliv, which promises to reduce prostate enlargement and urinary problems in two to four weeks. Similar claims are made for Mulunggay, another herbal extract that is touted as being able to “combat 300 diseases” and control diabetes. Anyone with real health issues who relies on such nonworking treatments could wind up getting worse, “and that represents a cost for the government,” Arriola said, because public hospitals have to treat sicker people. But he added that supposed “miracle cures” are seldom outright dangerous. “Mainly what these companies are doing is selling a placebo, and spending a lot of money on advertising to promote it.” Executives at two of Mexico’s largest vendors of such cure-alls could not be reached for comment. An employee at one of the companies appeared not to have heard of the new rules, and the other firm had an incorrect phone number listed with the Mexican stock exchange.

Companies do appear to have been taking note of the government’s plan. Some already run small-print slogans with their ads stating that “this is not a medicine.” Arriola called that “an evasive maneuver” and said such ads won’t be exempt from the new rules if they still make medical claims. And the marketing companies also appear to be moving into less-regulated areas, such as corsets in various forms that are “guaranteed” to give wearers a perfect figure instantly. Those ads could continue to run, in theory, as long as they don’t make claims that the product is doing anything but hiding fat. President Felipe Calderon announced the new rules as a sort of crusade against the power of deceitful advertising. “Every day, at every hour, on radio, television and the Internet, in print media, the public is literally being bombarded with a huge quantity of ads for all sorts of products that supposedly have curative powers,” Calderon said. “They put the health and economic well-being of the population at risk.” —AP

COLOMBO: (Left) A worker at the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society holds three corneas in bottles with preservatives, ready to be sent abroad, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This gift of sight has become an unwritten symbol of Sri Lanka’s pride and culture. (Right) A Sri Lankan man gets his eye examined at Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society during an eye camp in Colombo, Sri Lanka. —AP Photos

Sri Lanka donates eyes to the world Gift of sight becomes unwritten pride, culture COLOMBO: At 10:25 am, a dark brown eye was removed from a man whose lids had closed for the last time. Five hours later, the orb was staring up at the ceiling from a stainless steel tray in an operating room with two blind patients - both waiting to give it a second life.

S P D Siriwardana, 63, remained still under a white sheet as the surgeon delicately replaced the cornea that had gone bad in his right eye following a cataract surgery. Across the room, patient AK Premathilake, 32, waited for the sclera, the white of the eye, to provide precious stem cells and restore some vision after acid scalded his sight away on the job. “The eye from this dead person was transplanted to my son,” said A K Admon Singho, who guided Premathilake through the hall after the surgery. “He’s dead, but he’s still alive. His eye can still see the world.”

This gift of sight is so common here, it’s become an unwritten symbol of pride and culture for Sri Lanka, an island of about 20 million people located off the southern coast of India. Despite recently emerging from a quarter century of civil war, the countr y is among the world’s largest cornea providers. It donates about 3,000 corneas a year and has provided tissue to 57 countries over nearly a half century, with Pakistan receiving the biggest share, according to the nonprofit Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society. The organization began promoting eye donation decades ago, but has since faced allegations of mismanagement and poor quality standards. The supply of corneas is so great in Sri Lanka that a new, state-of-the-art government eye bank opened last year, funded by Singapore donors. It has started collecting tissue from patients at one of the country’s largest hospitals, hoping to add an additional 2,000 corneas to those already shipped abroad annually. Nearly 900,000 people have also signed up to give their eyes in death through the Eye Donation Society’s longstanding eye bank.

“People ask me, ‘Can we donate our eyes while we are living? Because we have two eyes, can we donate one?’” said Dr Sisira Liyanage, director of Sri Lanka’s National Eye Hospital in the capital, Colombo, where

the new eye bank is based. “They are giving just because of the willingness to help others. They are not accepting anything.”

The desire to help transcends social and economic barriers. Prime ministers pass on their corneas here along with the poorest tea farmers. Many Sri Lankans, about 67 percent of whom are Buddhist, believe that surrendering their eyes at death completes an act of “dana,” or giving, which helps them be reincarnated into a better life. It’s a concept that was first promoted a half century ago by the late Dr. Hudson Silva, who was frustrated by the massive shortage of corneas in his native Sri Lanka. Most eyes back then were harvested from the handful of prisoners hanged each year, leaving little hope for blind patients in need of transplants. Silva wrote a newspaper piece in the late 1950s pledging to donate his own corneas and appealing to readers to also give “Life to a Dead Eye.” The response was overwhelming. With no lab facilities or high-tech equipment, he and wife Irangani de Silva began harvesting eyes and storing them in their home refrigerator. They started the Eye Donation Society, and in 1964, the first cornea sent abroad was hand-carried in an ice-packed tea thermos aboard a flight to Singapore. Since then, 60,000 corneas have been donated. While the Society’s eye bank was a pioneer, questions about quality emerged as international eye banking standards improved over the next 20 to 30 years. Concerns have recently been raised about less advanced screening for HIV and other diseases, and the eye bank has also faced allegations of mismanagement. Many of its corneas are harvested from the homes of the dead in rural areas across the country, making auditing and quality assurance levels harder to maintain, said Dr. Donald Tan, medical director of Singapore National Eye Center, who helped set up the new eye bank. Once, he said, a blade of grass was found packaged with tissue requested for research. Eye Donation Society manager Janath Matara Arachchi says the organization sends “only the good and healthy eyes” and has not received a complaint in 20 years. Arachchi said the organization checks for HIV, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases by dip-

ping a strip into blood samples and waiting to see if it changes color for a positive result. Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry also said it has received no complaints about the eye bank from other countries.

Medical director Dr M H S Cassim denied that anyone from the organization is making money off donations sent abroad. He said they charge up to $450 per cornea to cover operational costs and the high price of preservatives needed to store the tissue.

The cornea is the dome-shaped transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. It helps to focus entering light, but can become cloudy from disease or other damage. Corneas must be carefully extracted from donors to avoid damaging the thin layer of cells on the back that pump water away to keep it clear. They must be harvested within eight hours of death, and can today be preserved and stored in refrigeration for up to 14 days.

Sri Lanka has no official organ donation registry, as is provided in some countries when driver’s licenses are issued. Instead, the idea is passed down from generation to generation. Eye donation campaigns are organized at temples by Buddhist monks, but people of other faiths also give, including Hindus and Christians.

Future donors simply mail in the bottom half of a consent form distributed by Silva’s Eye Donation Society. The top portion, which looks like an award certificate with a fancy scroll lacing around it, is also filled out and often proudly displayed on the wall - serving as proof to the living that the pledge comes from a generous spirit.

“Just think if we had that level of organ donation and commitment and belief system in the United States, where we have these long lists of people waiting for hearts, livers and kidneys,” said Dr Alfred Sommer of Johns Hopkins University, who spent more than 40 years fighting blindness in the developing world.

“If we had that level of cultural investment, there would be no lists for organ transplants.” The US is the world’s biggest cornea provider, sending more than 16,000 corneas to other countries in 2010, according to the Eye Bank Association of America.

But Sri Lanka, which is 15 times smaller,

actually donates about triple that number of corneas per capita each year. There is no waiting list for eye tissue in Sri Lanka, and its people get first access to free corneas.

About 40,000 have been transplanted locally since the beginning, but that still leaves a surplus each year.

Pakistan, an Islamic country where followers are typically required to be buried with all parts intact, has received some 20,000 corneas since overseas donations began, Cassim said. Egypt and Japan are two other major recipients, receiving 8,000 and 6,000 corneas respectively to date, he said. But Sri Lanka cannot meet global demand on its own. An estimated 10 million people - 9 out of 10 in poor countries suffer worldwide from corneal blindness that could be helped by a transplant if tissue and trained surgeons were available, according to US-based SightLife, an eye bank that partners with developing countries. It has been working with Sri Lanka’s new government facility.

“Sri Lanka has long been known to be a country with an incredible heart for eye donation and a willingness to share surplus corneas to restore sight around the world,” said SightLife president Monty Montoya. “While efforts have been made to share information with other countries, I am not aware of any one location being able to replicate Sri Lanka’s success.” Where possible, eye tissue should be transplanted within hours of death. That was done in the Colombo operating room where patients Siriwardana and Premathilake were stitched up with what looked like tiny fishing hooks, then bandaged and helped outside. For Premathilake - whose sight was lost when an open can of acid spilled onto his face while working at a rubber factory this is his last hope. His right eye still blinks, but there is nothing but an empty pink cavity inside. The stem cells attached to his left eye should help create a new window of sight that he hopes will allow him to go back to work, or at least carry out daily tasks without depending on his parents. “I am extremely happy,” he said. “I didn’t know the man who died in his previous life, but I’m always going to say blessings for him during his next births.” — AP

Health overhaul lags in states

Dan and Vicki McCuistion, of Driftwood, Texas, pose for a photo together in Austin, Texas. The McCuistions have been uninsured throughout their 17 years of marriage. — AP

WASHINGTON: Here’s a reality check for President Barack Obama’s health overhaul: Three out of four uninsured Americans live in states that have yet to figure out how to deliver on its promise of affordable medical care. This is the year that will make or break the health care law. States were supposed to be partners in carrying out the biggest safety net expansion since Medicare and Medicaid, and the White House claims they’re making steady progress.

But an analysis by The Associated Press shows that states are moving in fits and starts. Combined with new insurance coverage estimates from the nonpartisan Urban Institute, it reveals a patchwork nation.

Such uneven progress could have real consequences. If it continues, it will mean disparities and delays from state to state in carrying out an immense expansion of health insurance scheduled in the law for 2014. That could happen even if the Supreme Court upholds Obama’s law, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. “There will be something there, but if it doesn’t mesh with the state’s culture and if the state is not really supporting it, that certainly won’t help it succeed,” said Urban Institute senior researcher Matthew Buettgens. The 13 states that have adopted a plan are home to only 1 in 4 of the uninsured. An additional 17 states are making headway, but it’s not clear all will succeed. The 20 states lagging behind account for the biggest share of the uninsured, 42 percent.

Among the lagging states are four with arguably the most to gain. Texas, Florida, Georgia and Ohio together would add more than 7 million people to the insurance rolls, according to Urban

Institute estimates, reducing the annual burden of charity care by $10.7 billion.

“It’s not that we want something for free, but we want something we can afford,” said Vicki McCuistion of Driftwood, Texas, who works two parttime jobs and is uninsured. With the nation’s highest uninsured rate, her state has made little progress.

The Obama administration says McCuistion and others in the same predicament have nothing to fear. “The fact of states moving at different rates does not create disparities for a particular state’s uninsured population,” said Steve Larsen, director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

That’s because the law says that if a state isn’t ready, the federal government will step in. Larsen insists the government will be ready, but it’s not as easy as handing out insurance cards.

Someone has to set up health insurance exchanges, new one-stop supermarkets with online and landline capabilities for those who buy coverage individually.

A secure infrastructure must be created to verify income, legal residency and other personal information, and smooth enrollment in private insurance plans or Medicaid. Many middle-class households will be eligible for tax credits to help pay premiums for private coverage. Separate exchanges must be created for small businesses.

“It’s a very heavy lift,” said California’s health secretary, Diana Dooley, whose state was one of the first to approve a plan. “Coverage is certainly important, but it’s not the only part. It is very complex.”

California has nearly 7.5 million resi-

dents without coverage, more than half of the 12.7 million uninsured in the states with a plan. An estimated 2.9 million Californians would gain coverage, according to the Urban Institute’s research, funded by the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Democrats who wrote the overhaul law had hoped that most states would be willing partners, putting aside partisan differences to build the exchanges and help cover more than 30 million uninsured nationally. It’s not turning out that way.

Some states, mainly those led by Democrats, are far along. Others, usually led by Republicans, have done little.

Separately, about half the states are suing to overturn the law. Time is running out for states, which must have their plans ready for a federal approval deadline of Jan. 1, 2013. Those not ready risk triggering the default requirement that Washington run their exchange. Yet in states where Republican repudiation of the health care law has blocked exchanges, there’s little incentive to advance before the Supreme Court rules.

A decision is expected this summer, and many state legislatures aren’t scheduled to meet past late spring. The result if the law is upheld could be greater federal sway over health care in the states, the very outcome conservatives say they want to prevent.

“If you give states the opportunity to decide their own destiny, and some choose to ignore it for partisan reasons, they almost make the case against themselves for more federal intervention,” said Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb. A conservative, Nelson was on the winning side of a heated argument among Democrats over who should run exchanges, the feds or the states. —AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

H E A LT H

Asia loses its taste for shark fin SINGAPORE: As Asia’s ethnic Chinese sit down for lavish banquets to usher in the Lunar New Year, a delicacy long considered a must at celebratory meals is fast disappearing from menus and dinner tables. A growing number of shops, restaurants and hotels have in the past few months given up selling shark fin, which in Asia is usually eaten in soup, throwing a lifeline to the marine predator that activists say is long overdue.

“Yes, we do see an increasing number of locals and international businesses saying no to shark’s fin,” said Elaine Tan, chief executive for environmental group WWF in Singapore.

“This change in attitude could be due to an increasing awareness of the plight of sharks as well as the result of many shark campaigns worldwide,” she told AFP. About 73 million sharks are killed every year, according to WWF, and more than 180 shark species were considered threatened in 2010, compared to only 15 in 1996. Many are slain for their fins, considered by the Chinese to be a delicacy and costing hundreds of dollars per kilo.

Soup made from the fins is a pricey yet common staple at festive occasions such as the Lunar New Year and weddings in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and countries with large ethnic Chinese populations such as Singapore. One wellknown shark-fin soup restaurant in Singapore sells the dish at Sg$20 ($16)

per diner, but it can cost many times that. “We are concerned about the environment and we have a strong corporate responsibility,” said Maria Kuhn, director of corporate communications of Shangri-La’s international operations.

The global luxury hotelier took shark

fin off its menu on January 17, in a major boost to the campaign. “The younger generation has specifically been very aware of the issue and been stepping away from using shark fin... In the long term it will be a natural progression anyway.” In Hong Kong-the top shark-fin

HONG KONG: A man walks by a store selling shark fins in Hong Kong.

A growing number of shops, restaurants and hotels have in the past few months given up selling shark fin, which in Asia is usually eaten in soup, throwing a lifeline to the marine predator that activists say is long overdue. — AFP

trading centre, handling about 50 percent of the global trade-conservationists lauded Peninsula Hotels group’s decision two months ago to similarly ditch the dish. “We are very happy to see what they have done and we believe the demand for shark-fin consumption in Hong Kong will reduce,” Stanley Shea, project coordinator at the Hong Kong marine conservation group Bloom, told AFP. A survey by Bloom last year showed 78 percent of people in the southern Chinese city now consider it socially acceptable to leave shark-fin soup off the menu for a wedding banquet.

It is a sentiment which is gaining ground in Singapore too. Alex Teo, 29, said he left shark fin off the menu at his wedding last year despite initial worries that guests might be disappointed.

“We were not sure if people would feel unhappy about it, but seven personal friends who, when they replied about their attendance, asked me if we could not have shark fin, so we went ahead,” he said. “We actually wanted to remove it because we wanted to save sharks,” Teo, a banker, told AFP. Mainland Chinabelieved to be the world’s top consumer of shark fin-is also seeing a dip in its popularity. Basketball superstar Yao Ming, who stopped eating shark fin five years ago, added his considerable size to the cause in September by urging others to join him and British entrepreneur

Richard Branson in their abstinence.

As public awareness grows in China, there are even moves towards a ban on the trade. Businessman delegate to the National People’s Congress Ding Liguo made the proposal, saying Beijing should lead the way because 95 percent of shark fin is consumed in the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. TRAFFIC, an international network that monitors the trade in wildlife, said more action from Asian governments was needed.

“We see a clear shift in the public and corporate mindset away from shark-fin consumption and sale,” Elizabeth John, an official with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, told AFP. “Unfortunately, it’s not reflected in decision and policy making except in very few cases.” Hazel Oakley, a representative of Shark Savers Malaysia, which lobbies for a shark-fishing ban, said: “The time for this legislation is now. “Public opinion has changed... The shark-fin wealthy Chinese market is definitely dying.” Supermarket chains in Singapore have also begun to jump on the bandwagon and WWF’s Tan said an initiative encouraging restaurants to provide shark-fin-free menus has gained traction in Singapore and Hong Kong. More than 100 hotels and restaurants in the two cities are now part of the program, up from only 12 when it was launched in 2010, Tan said. But it is not all good news. —AFP

30

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

Upcoming events Infoconnect expo to be held in Kuwait From January 29th till February 4th Infoconnect will be held at the Kuwait International Fair Grounds Infoconnect is one of the most professionally organized trade shows in Kuwait, dedicated exclusively to the computer applications and information technology sector. The show ranks high on the popularity count, drawing in a large number of exhibitors as well as qualified business visitors at each of its editions. The line of products put on exhibit at the show is quite extensive and includes computer peripherals, IT security tools, software solutions, data warehousing systems and a host of other related services and accessories. The show draws in active participation from eminent professionals from both the public as well as the private sectors and the latest innovations and developments in the IT industry are closely looked into here. The show is held over a period of seven days at the Kuwait International Fairground and enjoys large scale media coverage too.

Kuwait Boat Show Kuwait, in the cradle of one of the most ancient and most-contested corners of the world, is best described as a city state. The burgeoning capital, Kuwait City, is like a magnet: indeed it has been attracting Bedouin people from the Arabian interior, in search of a sea breeze and an escape from recurring drought, for centuries. Today the metropolis is still an oasis in a land of desert plains, but rather more of the cultural and epicurean kind. Excellent museums; a corniche ornamented with combed beaches and extravagant restaurants; modern shopping complexes and marinas, and long and lazy retreats at new beach resorts mark the Kuwait City experience.

The organizers of the Kuwait International Boat Show expect more than 100 marine companies to display their latest products, boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of boating accessories from major marine manufacturers. The Boat Show encompasses more than 120.000 m2 of space, both on land and in water. Where: Souk Sharq Marina & Water Front Kuwait International Boat Show Timings: 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm Local exhibitors & for more info kindly contact Mr. Abdulla Al Manei (Exhibition Manager): 2538-7100 Ext: 172, 99788130, 2539-3872, 2539-8123, 9444-9102, a.almanei@kif.net International exhibitors & any additional info kindly contact Mrs. Kaya Gabrielcic info@kuwaitboatshow.com

NSS-Kuwait celebrates Mannam Jayanthi

N

SS (Natioanal Service Society) celebrated 135th Mannam Jayanthi at Cambiridge English School on 20th January 2012 with a colorful full day event.

The program was inaugurated by Sri Sathish C Metha, The Ambassador of India by lighting the traditional lamp.

The Public meeting presided by NSS Kuwait President Baiju Pillai was started at 10:30 am. In the Inaugural address His Excellency has praised the efforts taken by the cultural associations like NSS in bringing out the traditional values

among its members.

The Nair Service Society Director Board Member and Trivandrum Taluk Union President Sangeeth Kumar was the official representation from the NSS Head Office at Changanacherry and the Chief Guest of the function. In his address, he described the painstaking efforts made by Acharyan Sri Mannathu Padmanabhan during the initial days of formation of the society and his revolutionary ideas and activities that has influenced the social, cultural and educational spheres of the state of Kerala.

Thomas Chandy MLA, Abdul Fattah Thayyil, President of KKMA and K P Balakrishnan made the felicitation addresses. Suresh Nair, NSS-Kuwait General Secretary made the welcome speech and Gopakumar, Treasurer gave the vote of thanks. The dance program by more than 135 artists from twelve dance schools have performed variety of dance forms from Traditional Bharatha Natyam, Kutchipudi to cinematic and fusion.

The much awaited Classical Music concert by famous musician Kanhangad

Ramachandran started at 4:30 pm. The classical and semi classical songs accompanied by Perunna Hari on Mridangam, Balamurali on Violin, Kottayam Unnikrisnan on Ghatam elevated the crowd to a different world of musical realization. The traditionial feast was served to all participants. The program concluded at 7pm after a lucky draw and prizes were distributed by Manjula Sangeethkumar.

GLEE-esque show choir This Valentine’s Day step into a musical Love Story performed by Vocal Rhapsody, KLT’s first ever GLEE-esque show choir. Vocal Rhapsody’s “Love Story” - is a show choir production with hit songs from artists such as Journey, Queen, Katy Perry and Meatloaf. It promises to be an exciting evening for all with some classic songs that everyone will enjoy. For contact: http://www.theklt.com Kuwait Bike Show The Kuwait Bike Show is an annual bike show organized by Harley Davidson of Kuwait. The show this year will take place at Marina Mall the most popular shopping destination in Kuwait.

The bike show is a competition with different categories, where judgment will be taken on certain points by experts. Invited participants will include chapters from all over the Middle East. It will be held January 26th - 27th.For further info Email: webmaster@hog-kw.com or cmc@harleydavidson-kw.com Comedy-play to be hosted with Indian celebrities The Indian Cultural Society of Kuwait (ICS) proudly presents a new concept comedy-play titled “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”. The play will star well-known Bollywood film celebrities Bhagyashree and Akshay Ananad for the first time in Kuwait. This latest romantic comedy will also feature other Bollywood actors such as Krutika Sharma, Prairna and Navin Agarwal. ICS is known for organizing cultural events and wonderful quality entertainment for music lovers in Kuwait! The event will be held on Friday, February 17th at 7pm the American International School (Dr Kamil Al-Rays Auditorium), Near the police station, Maidan Hawally. For more info: 9727-0386, 6703-0839 Email: ics.kuwait@gmail.com

Pathanamthitta District Association family get-together

P

athanamthitta District Association, Kuwait will be holding a Family Get-together on Friday 27th Januar y 2012 at CHACHOOS AUDITORIUM, Abbassiya from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

All members and well-wishers of Pathanamthitta District Association and residents of Pathanamthitta District who are interested to become members of the Association and who are willing to cooperate with us and support us in our social and welfare activities are cordially invited to attend this event with their families.

The Event will have cultural programs performed by local artists and families of Association members and Games involving the audience.

For further details and for registering participation in the event, please contact: The President at mobile no: 99722437 General Secretary at Mobile no: 66501482 Event Coordiantor at mobile no: 97863052

K’S PATH celebrates dogs and their humans at first-ever ‘Bark in the Park’

K

’S PATH (Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat) - a non profit organization committed to animal welfare and habitat protection - successfully held its first ever ‘Bark in the Park’ on Saturday 21st January 2012 at the Mishref Fair Grounds. Despite the sudden chilly weather, over a 100 families attended the fundraiser event with their beloved dogs to try their luck in a variety of competitions and games in a carnival setting. Proceeds from this novel fundraiser support K’S PATH’s programs in animal welfare, environment and habitat protection.

“The response to our first ever dog-centric event has been encouraging and positive, with many visitors requesting similar canine events later in the year”, says K’S PATH Chairman Ayeshah Al Humaidhi.

“Bark in the Park proved to a great outing for dogs and their families to spend a weekend together in fun-packed team competitions, buy exciting dog treats and grooming products from trusted vendors,

and get to know other members of Kuwait’s dog-loving community. Big thanks to our main sponsors for making this fundraiser possible - Blue Buffalo Co., Pawsh Boutique, Petzone and Move One and our dedicated volunteers for a memorable and eventful day!”

Dogs and their families enjoyed fabulous fare from a host of select vendors such as The November Bakery, Popcornopolis, Blue Pitt Bull Kennel, Q8 Bullies Kennel,

Kerry A Sellers Photography, Epetome, Kuwait Petography, Organica Fish and Chips, Basic Organic Pet and Feed, Royal Animal Hospital, Gloria Jeans Coffee and Animal Care. Visitors also bagged special door and raffle prizes from Easa Al Yousifi and Sons, Ethan Allen, Johnny Rocket, Moevenpick, Hard Rock Cafe, Baskets made perfect and Alghanim.

A series of fun competitions were held across the day with dogs and their humans

cheered on by onlookers. The winners are as follow: Best Child Handler: First place - Chicano; Second place - Havanah; Third place - Coco Chanel Most Obedient: First place - Isko; Second place - Capo; Third place - Bear Best Dressed: First place - Jackson; Second place - Pablo and Rimo; Third place - Candy Best Lookalike: First place - Magic; Second place - Rix; Third place - Cabo Terrific Pet Tricks: Winner - Cloudy Temptation Alley: First place - Flora; Second place - Cinnamon; Third place Cabo Best Veteran: Winner - Susie Most Adorable Round 1: First place Bozo; Second place - Miley; Third place Caesar Most Adorable Round 2: First place Minicubs; Second place - Luty; Third place Eddier Egg Race: First place - Capo; Second place - Jackson; Third place - Sam

31

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency. nnnnnnn

BSK students demonstrate their scientific prowess

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad.

This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca.

The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus requests Cypriot citizens living in Kuwait to register with the Embassy. This registration service is provided so that the Embassy can update its contact list and assist Cypriot citizens in cases of emergencies. Registration information can be emailed to cyprusembassykwt@gmail.com or faxed to 22253227 or given by phone to 65906048 (Mrs Christine).

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n the evening of Monday 16 January The British School of Kuwait showcased their second Annual Science Fair at the Lowry Gallery on the BSK campus. Students from Year 5 to Year 8 (age 10 to age 13) presented projects such as ‘The Melting of Icebergs or Icecaps - Which will have the Greatest Effect on Sea Levels’ ‘The Effect of Wavelength on the Rate of Melting’ and the ‘Best Design for Solar Paneled Desalination Units.’

The team of judges led by Aseel Al Turkait from ExxonMobil had the challenging job of marking on innovation, scientific method and clarity. After much scrutiny the winning entry entitled Global Warming and its Effect on Sea Levels by Janna Zeid, Soils and Permeability by Dana Nehme and The Effect of Vinegar on Volcanic Eruptions by Aisha Azam. The winners were awarded a magnificent telescope which will allow them to develop their interest in astronomy. Close on their heels were Bardya Rezaei and Lenoy Christy in second place with their project The Best Model for Desalination. Yusra Shafi and Zoha Baig in third place with their project Measuring Reactivity of Metals using a Light Sensor and Ali Aboubieh with his project Wavelength and the Melting of Ice. All 8 finalists impressed the judges with the creativity of their projects and their ability to explain and demonstrate the experiments to a parade of visitors throughout the evening.

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EMBASSY OF INDIA On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will be held at the Embassy of India premises at 9:00 AM on Thursday, January 26, 2012.

This will be followed by the reading of the message of Hon’ble President of India by the Ambassador, singing of patriotic songs by Indian children, and an Open House Reception. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are cordially invited to attend the Ceremony. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to request all Kenyans resident in or training through Kuwait to register with the Embassy.

We are updating our database. This information is necessary in order to facilitate quick assistance and advise in times of emergency. Kindly visit in person or register through our website www.kenyaembkuwait.com. The Embassy is located in: Surra Area - Block 6 - Street 9 - Villa 3 Tel: 25353362 - 25353314; Fax: 25353316. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax- 25387719.

Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF PHILIPPINES The Embassy of the Philippines will be closed to public transactions on 29,30,31 January 2012 to give way to its transfer to Faiha, Block 6, Nauman bin Basher St. corner Damascus St. Villa 153. For emergency, please contact the Consular hotline at 65184433. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office and other attached agencies shall continue to operate and hold office in Jabriya until 15 March 2012. All your passports and other consular concerns will be processed at our new location, except of course labor issues. Regular working hours of the Embassy shall resume in Faiha on 01 February 2012.

Youth India elects office bearers

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rshad E was elected as president, Shafi PT was elected as secretary and Rishdin Ameer as treasurer. The other office bearers are Anees Abdul Salam, Rafeeq Babu (Vice Presidents), Haroon, Layik (Secretaries). The conveners for the various wings are as follows : Anwar Shaji (Socio-Cultural), Anees Abdul Salam (Social Relief ), Shafi PT (Organization), Arshad E (Training), Rafeeq Babu (Arts and Sports), Mahnas Musthafa(Career), Fayis KV(Website), Shafi Koyamma (Social Club), Najeeb CK (Public Relations), Nissar K Rasheed (Press and Media).

Youth India Chief Patron Sakeer Hussain Thuvvoor conducted the elections. The electoral college from all areas of Kuwait elected the Executive committee and the executive committee elected the office bearers. The other executive committee members are Muhammad Saleem K, Rasheed Khan, Abdul Basith, Fayis VK, Faris Mahamood, and Naisam CP.

High-range Fest 2012

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dukki Association - Kuwait, the socio-cultural association of the expatriates from the District of Idukki, Kerala, in Kuwait, will celebrate its 6th anniversary on January 27, 2012 from 4.00 pm onwards at Cambridge English School Auditorium, Mangaf, under the banner ‘High-range Fest 2012.

The celebrations will kick off

Cultural programme

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n the 10th of February 2012, Friday at 3:30 pm. A cultural programme will be staged at the Carmel School Kuwait, Khaitan. This will include a Book Fair and an Art Competition with a Musical Drama (JanatarDak). It is written n Directed by Rafiqul Islam Bulu and organized by the Bangladesh Udjapon Committee Kuwait. This is an open invitation, All are welcome.

with an inter-school dance competition for the Idukki Association ever rolling trophy for dance followed by a valedictory function, in which P J Joseph, Kerala minister for water resources will be the chief guest. Francis George, former MP, Idukki, will be the guest of honor. The children of the members, who have secured high marks in the CBSE Class X and XII

examinations, will be honored at the function. The official website of the association will also be launched at the event.

Following the valedictory function, a ‘ganamela’ led by renowned artists from Kerala, will be held. Dance items and skit by leading groups in Kuwait, will also be presented. Entry will be limited through invitations.

‘Sargasangamam-2012’

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anithavedi of Saradhi Kuwait will be conducting ‘Sargasangamam 2012’ on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Indian Community School Auditorium, Khaitan with a full day of cultural programs performed by more than 125 children of Saradhi members.

The organizing Committee headed by general convenor Manikutty Raju convened a meeting on January 20 2012 at Hi-Dine Auditorium, Abbassiya, to evaluate the progress of the

event. Vanithavedi Secretary Mini Kishore, organizing committee members Rathi Dinesh, Nimmi Muraleedharan, Mitra Udayabhanu and Priya Raju expressed their satisfaction that the talented children are preparing well to present their versatilities through more than 75 colorful programs. Saradhi President C G Vidyananda Babu, General Secretary K R Aji and Treasurer Jiji Karunakaran gave their felicitations and wished all success of the program.

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EMBASSY OF RUSSIA Embassy of the Russian Federation invites all the Russian residents in Kuwait to visit the Consulate for registration and updating your database. This information is necessary for prompt notice, assistance and warning in case of emergency. The consulate reception hours: 10:00 - 13:00, Sunday Wednesday. The Embassy is located in Kuwait City, Daiya, Block 5, Diplomatic campus, Plot 17. Tel: (+965) 22560427, 22560428. Fax: (+965) 22524969, e-mail: rusposkuw@mail.ru, consdepkuw@mail.ru Information also available on the website: www.kuwait.mid.ru

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:50 Untamed & Uncut 01:45 Dogs 101 02:40 Wildest Africa 03:35 Sharkbite Summer 04:30 Whale Wars 05:25 Dogs 101 06:20 Animal Cops Phoenix 07:10 Night 07:35 In Too Deep 08:00 Orangutan Island 08:25 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 08:50 Talk To The Animals 09:15 The Really Wild Show 09:40 Breed All About It 10:10 Your Pet Wants This 11:05 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 12:00 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 12:55 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 13:20 Wildlife SOS 13:50 Last Chance Highway 14:45 Animal Cops Philadelphia 15:40 Wildest India 16:30 Monkey Life 17:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 17:30 Talk To The Animals 18:00 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 18:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 19:20 Must Love Cats 20:15 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 20:40 Breed All About It 21:10 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 22:05 Wildest India 23:00 Dogs 101

00:00 Live At The Apollo 00:45 New Tricks 01:35 The Weakest Link 02:25 The World’s Toughest Driving Tests 03:15 The Weakest Link 04:00 Balamory 04:20 Tellytales 04:30 Bobinogs 04:45 The Roly Mo Show 05:00 Buzz & Tell 05:05 Tweenies 05:25 3rd & Bird 05:35 Nina And The Neurons 05:50 Balamory 06:10 Tellytales 06:20 Bobinogs 06:30 The Roly Mo Show 06:45 Buzz & Tell 06:50 Tweenies 07:10 3rd & Bird 07:20 Nina And The Neurons 07:35 Last Of The Summer Wine 08:05 Keeping Up Appearances 08:35 The Weakest Link 09:20 The Green Green Grass 09:50 Doctors 10:20 Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness 11:10 Monarch Of The Glen 12:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 12:30 Keeping Up Appearances 13:00 The Weakest Link 13:45 The Green Green Grass 14:15 Doctors 14:45 Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness 15:35 Monarch Of The Glen 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Holby City 19:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 19:30 One Foot In The Grave 20:00 Waking The Dead 20:50 Keeping Up Appearances 21:20 The Green Green Grass 21:50 New Tricks

00:10 02:40 05:10 07:40 09:05 10:15

Gok’s Fashion Fix What Not To Wear Gok’s Fashion Fix Cash In The Attic USA Masterchef Australia Bargain Hunt

11:00 11:50 12:40 13:30 15:05 15:50 16:35 17:20 18:15 18:35 19:00 21:05 21:25 23:05 23:50

Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me 10 Years Younger Gok’s Fashion Fix Fantasy Homes By The Sea House Swap Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic USA 10 Years Younger Masterchef Cash In The Attic USA Gok’s Fashion Fix Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow

00:40 Samurai Jack 01:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 02:20 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 03:10 Best Ed 04:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:25 Adventure Time 04:50 Generator Rex 05:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 05:40 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 05:55 I Am Weasel 06:55 Powerpuff Girls 07:45 Angelo Rules 08:00 Casper’s Scare School 08:30 The Amazing World Of Gumball 08:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 09:15 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 09:40 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 10:05 Angelo Rules 10:30 Chowder 10:55 Adventure Time 11:20 Eliot Kid 11:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 12:00 Ben 10 12:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 12:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 13:15 I Am Weasel 13:40 Best Ed 14:05 Cow & Chicken 14:30 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:50 Eliot Kid 15:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 15:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 16:05 Courage The Cowardly Dog 16:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 16:55 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:10 Adventure Time 17:35 Regular Show 18:00 Cow & Chicken 18:25 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 18:50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:15 Angelo Rules 19:30 Total Drama World Tour 19:55 Hero 108 20:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 20:50 Adventure Time 21:25 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 21:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 22:25 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 22:50 Cow & Chicken 23:00 Ben 10 23:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog

00:20 01:10 02:00 02:45 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:55 08:10 08:35 09:00

Replacements Fairly Odd Parents A Kind Of Magic Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Hannah Montana Recess Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Phineas And Ferb Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates

09:15 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:25 Handy Manny 09:40 The Hive 09:48 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 09:50 Fairly Odd Parents 10:15 So Random 10:40 Have A Laugh 10:45 Hannah Montana 11:10 Suite Life On Deck 11:35 Jake & Blake 12:00 Jonas 12:25 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:45 Phineas And Ferb 13:10 So Random 13:30 Suite Life On Deck 14:20 Shake It Up 14:55 Have A Laugh 15:00 Good Luck Charlie 15:25 Phineas And Ferb 15:50 Fish Hooks 16:10 Shake It Up 16:35 Suite Life On Deck 17:25 Good Luck Charlie 17:50 Fish Hooks 18:15 Suite Life On Deck 18:35 Have A Laugh 18:45 Suite Life On Deck 19:10 Good Luck Charlie 19:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 20:00 Hannah Montana 20:25 Phineas And Ferb 20:50 Shake It Up 21:15 Fish Hooks 21:35 Good Luck Charlie 22:00 Shake It Up 22:50 Wizards Of Waverly Place 23:35 Sonny With A Chance

06:00 Happy Campers 06:10 She’s The Mayor/ Lemonade Stand 06:35 We Call It Maze/Ladies And Gentlemen Max Modem 07:00 A Mermaid’s Tail 07:20 Polar Trappers 07:25 Road Tripp 07:50 Don’t Date The Principal’s Daughter 08:15 Rollerdorks 08:40 Crash Dummies 09:05 The Lake Nose Monster 09:30 House Of Scream / Planters Wrap 09:55 I Cried A River Over You 10:20 Pair Of Kings 10:45 Cat-Astrophe 11:10 Keeping Shop 11:35 Kickasaurus Wrecks /Battle For The ‘Snax 12:00 Out To Launch 12:25 Rekkit Rabbit 12:45 Buzz Off / Fat Kat 13:10 Pair Of Kings 13:35 Zeke & Luther 14:00 Mellowbrook Drift/ Gift Of Wacky 14:25 Rekkit Rabbit 14:50 I’m Out Of The Band - Part Two 15:10 Double Dribble 15:15 Pair Of Kings 15:40 Not My Sister’s Keeper 16:05 Rollerdorks 16:30 Roller Coaster / Candace Loses Her Head 16:50 On Ice 16:55 The Fast And The Phineas / Lawn Gnome Beach Party Of Terror 17:20 Kickin It 17:45 Escape From Scorpion Island 18:15 Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge 18:40 Obsession For Kick/ Flush And Release 19:00 Thru The Mirror 19:05 Pair Of Kings 19:30 Undercover Carl/Hip Hip Parade 19:55 Old Nasty 20:20 Something About Fiona/Tickled Pink 20:45 Runaway Recital /Trike X-5 21:10 No More Bunny Business/Spa Day 21:35 A Ghost Story 22:00 Luther Leads 22:25 Fishy Frisky Business/ Teed Off

THE CRAIGSLIST KILLER ON OSN ACTION HD

00:40 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 16:00 16:55 17:50 18:45 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

Desert Car Kings Mythbusters Coal Swords: Life On The Line How Stuff Works Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings Discovery Project Earth Overhaulin’ Ultimate Survival Mythbusters Cash Cab Us Border Security Auction Kings How It’s Made How Stuff Works Cake Boss Coal Swords: Life On The Line Gold Rush: Alaska

00:40 01:35 02:25 02:50 07:10 08:00 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:35 11:25 12:20 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:55 15:20 15:50 16:40 17:05 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:40 20:30 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:50

Nasa’s Greatest Missions Mighty Ships The Tech Show Science Of The Movies What’s That About?

How The Universe Works How Does That Work?

How Stuff’s Made Science Of Storm Chasing Robocar Man Made Marvels Asia Catch It Keep It The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Sci-Trek How Does That Work?

How Stuff’s Made How The Universe Works The Tech Show Catch It Keep It The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Man Made Marvels Asia Building The Biggest Mighty Ships Catch It Keep It How The Universe Works Building The Biggest Mighty Ships

00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:05 Gourmet Farmer 01:30 Unwrapped 01:55 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 02:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 04:25 Chopped 05:15 Kid In A Candy Store 05:40 Unique Sweets 06:05 Bobby Chinn Cooks Asia 06:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:50 Food Network Challenge 07:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:00 Food Network Challenge 08:50 Andy Bates Street Feasts 09:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 09:40 Kid In A Candy Store 10:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 10:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 10:55 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 11:20 Bobby Chinn Cooks Asia 11:45 Everyday Italian 12:10 Unwrapped 12:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:00 Ten Dollar Dinners 13:25 Guy’s Big Bite 13:50 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 14:15 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 15:30 Unwrapped 15:55 Paula’s Best Dishes 16:20 Mexican Made Easy 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Andy Bates Street Feasts 18:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:50 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 19:15 Kid In A Candy Store 19:40 Bobby Chinn Cooks Asia 20:05 Guy’s Big Bite 20:30 Food Network Challenge 21:20 Andy Bates Street Feasts 21:45 Andy Bates Street Feasts 22:10 Easy Chinese: San Francisco

00:20 Special Agent Oso 00:50 Jungle Junction 01:15 Little Einsteins 01:40 Higglytown Heroes 02:10 Jo Jo’s Circus 02:30 Special Agent Oso 03:00 Jungle Junction 03:25 Little Einsteins 03:50 Higglytown Heroes 04:20 Jo Jo’s Circus 04:40 Special Agent Oso 05:10 Jungle Junction 05:35 Little Einsteins 06:00 Higglytown Heroes 06:30 Jo Jo’s Circus 06:50 Jungle Junction 07:15 Higglytown Heroes 07:45 Handy Manny 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:15 Jungle Junction 08:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:10 The Hive 09:20 Handy Manny 09:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 10:05 The Hive 10:15 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 10:25 Timon And Pumbaa 10:45 Imagination Movers 11:10 Mickey Mousekersize 11:20 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:45 Little Einsteins 12:10 Imagination Movers 12:30 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 12:45 Lazytown 13:10 Handy Manny 13:25 Jungle Junction 13:40 Imagination Movers 14:05 The Hive 14:15 Special Agent Oso 14:25 Little Einsteins 14:50 Lazytown

15:15 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:05 Handy Manny 16:35 The Hive 16:45 Imagination Movers 17:10 Mickey Mousekersize 17:20 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 17:45 Jungle Junction 18:00 The Hive 18:20 Handy Manny 18:30 Jungle Junction 18:45 Handy Manny 18:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 19:25 The Hive 19:35 Little Einsteins 20:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 20:30 Animated Stories 20:35 Handy Manny 20:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:20 The Hive 21:30 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 21:33 A Poem Is...

21:40 Jungle Junction 21:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates

00:25 Style Star 01:25 Cheating Death 03:15 E! Investigates 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Then And Now 05:30 Wildest TV Show Moments 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 10:15 50 Most Insane Celebrity Oops 12:05 Awards Fashion Police 13:05 Dirty Soap 14:05 Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami 15:00 Style Star 15:30 World’s Specials 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Bridalplasty 17:55 Kourtney & Kim Take New York

00:00 Cowboy U 00:50 Aiya TV 02:30 Ed’s Up 03:20 Untracked 05:50 AMA Motocross 2011 07:30 Ride Guide Snow 2008 09:00 FIM World Motocross MX3 Championships...

09:25 Alli Presents 11:55 Man’s Work 12:45 Fantasy Factory 13:35 Dr Danger 14:25 Mantracker 15:15 World Combat League 16:05 Man’s Work 16:55 Fantasy Factory 17:45 FIM World Motocross MX3 Championships...

18:10 Alli Presents 20:40 Mantracker 21:30 Dr Danger 22:20 Ed’s Up 23:10 World Combat League

00:40 Couples Who Kill 01:30 True CSI 02:15 The Will: Family Secrets Revealed 03:05 Kidnap And Rescue 03:50 Couples Who Kill 04:40 True CSI 05:25 On The Case With Paula Zahn 06:15 Disappeared 07:10 Mystery Diagnosis 08:00 FBI Files 08:50 Forensic Detectives 09:40 Murder Shift 10:25 Mystery ER 11:10 Real Emergency Calls 11:35 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

11:55 On The Case With Paula Zahn 12:40 Disappeared 13:25 Murder Shift 14:15 Mystery ER 15:00 Real Emergency Calls 15:25 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

15:50 On The Case With Paula Zahn 16:35 Disappeared 17:20 FBI Files 18:10 Forensic Detectives 19:00 Murder Shift 19:45 Real Emergency Calls 20:10 Mystery ER 20:55 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

21:20 On The Case With Paula Zahn 22:10 Disappeared 23:00 Nightmare Next Door 23:50 Nightmare Next Door

00:00 Travel Madness 00:30 Chasing Che: Latin America On A Motorcycle 00:30 Nat Geo’s Most Amazing Photos 01:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 01:30Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 01:30 Great Migrations 02:00 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 02:30 Redwoods: Anatomy of A Giant 02:30 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 03:00 Bondi Rescue 03:30 Banged Up Abroad 03:30 Inside 04:30 Ancient Megastructures 04:30 Long Way Down 05:30 Destination Extreme 05:30 Taboo 06:00 Travel Madness 06:30 Chasing Che: Latin America On A Motorcycle 06:30 Megastructures 07:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 07:30Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 07:30 Nat Geo’s Most Amazing Photos 08:00 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 08:30 Great Migrations 08:30 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 09:00 Bondi Rescue 09:30 Ancient Megastructures 09:30 Banged Up Abroad 10:30 Lions Behaving Badly 10:30 Long Way Down 11:30 Destination Extreme 11:30 Inside 12:00 Travel Madness

CHASING PAPI ON OSN MOVIES HD 12:30 Ancient Megastructures 12:30 Chasing Che: Latin America On A Motorcycle 13:00 Banged Up Abroad

00:00 Brotherhood-PG15 02:00 Mirrors 2-18 04:00 The Craigslist Killer-PG15 06:00 Triassic Attack-PG15 08:00 Altitude-PG15 10:00 The Haunting Of Molly Hartley-18 12:00 Ong Bak 2-PG15 14:00 Altitude-PG15 16:00 Rocky IV-PG15 18:00 Ong Bak 2-PG15 20:00 Sleep Dealer-18 22:00 Mindhunters-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:15 09:00 11:00 14:00 15:45 17:30 19:30 21:30 23:30

Blue Valentine-18 The Flyboys-PG15 Tron: Legacy-PG15 Mee Shee-PG The Nanny Express-PG15 My Name Is Khan-PG15 The Front-PG15 Ramona And Beezus-PG Waiting For Superman-PG15 Date Night-PG15 Two Lovers-18 Red-PG15

12:00 Two And A Half Men 12:30 Will And Grace 13:00 Just Shoot Me 13:30 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 16:30 The Office 18:00 Friends 18:30 Friends 19:00 Modern Family 19:30 Parks And Recreation 20:00 Mad Love 20:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 The Colbert Report Global Edition 22:00 Enlightened 22:30 Hung 23:00 Family Guy

01:00 03:15 05:15 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 20:00 21:45 23:15

Dark Moon Rising-PG15 The Craigslist Killer-PG15 The Burningmoore Incident Citizen Jane-PG The Karate Kid III-PG Rocky IV-PG15 Star Trek: First Contact-PG The Karate Kid III-PG The Postman-PG15 American Dragons-18 Paranormal Activity-PG15 Medium Raw-PG15

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 09:30 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 23:45

Napoleon Dynamite-PG Lower Learning-PG15 The Country Bears-PG A Film With Me In It-PG15 16 To Life-PG15 The Parent Trap-PG Nativity!-PG Addams Family Values-PG Napoleon Dynamite-PG Double Wedding-PG15 Submarine-PG15 Tucker Max-R Renaissance Man-PG15

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:30 13:00 14:30 16:30 19:00 21:00 23:00

The Shape Of Things-PG15 Toy Story 3-FAM Dr. Dolittle-PG Our Family Wedding-PG15 The Blind Side-PG15 Chasing Papi-PG Cinema Verite-PG15 The Greatest-PG15 The Blind Side-PG15 The Maiden Heist-PG15 Repo Men-18 The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who...

00:00 The Thief Of Baghdad-PG 02:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase-PG15 04:00 Legend Of Sleeping Beauty 06:00 Inspector Gadget’s Last Case: Claw’s...-FAM 08:00 Slappy And The Stinkers-PG 10:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase-PG15 12:00 Shrek Forever After-FAM 14:00 Christopher Columbus-PG 16:00 Open Season 3-FAM 18:00 Slappy And The Stinkers-PG 20:00 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore-PG 22:00 Christopher Columbus-PG

03:00 06:00 07:00 11:00 13:00 16:00 20:00 23:00

Cricket Twenty20 Trans World Sport Snooker Masters WWE SmackDown Cricket Twenty20 Snooker Masters Cricket Twenty20 UFC The Ultimate Fighter

03:00 World Hockey 03:30 Futbol Mundial 04:00 ICC Cricket World 04:30 Scottish Premier League 06:30 World Hockey 07:00 Snooker Masters 11:00 European Challenge Cup 13:00 Cricket Twenty20 16:00 Snooker Masters 20:00 Trans World Sport 21:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights

01:30 02:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 18:30 19:00

ICC Cricket World European Challenge Cup World Cup of Pool World Pool Masters US Bass Fishing Golfing World European PGA Tour Golfing World World Cup of Pool World Pool Masters US Bass Fishing European Challenge Cup Futbol Mundial Golfing World

02:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 20:00 23:00

WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line UFC Unleashed WWE Bottom Line WWE Experience Speedway Intercontinental Le Mans Cup V8 Supercars Championship WWE NXT WWE Experience Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Speedway Powerboats WWE SmackDown UFC Fight Night UFC The Ultimate Fighter

00:00 02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00 05:00 06:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 18:00 20:00

Beyond The Big Bang Pub Dig Pawn Stars Pawn Stars MysteryQuest Conspiracy?

Beyond The Big Bang Pub Dig Pawn Stars Pawn Stars MysteryQuest Conspiracy?

Beyond The Big Bang Pub Dig Pawn Stars Pawn Stars MysteryQuest Conspiracy?

Beyond The Big Bang Ancient Wonders

21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 Ice Road Truckers 23:00 Ax Men

00:05 Glam Fairy 01:00 Open House 02:00 Videofashion Daily 02:55 Videofashion News 03:25 How Do I Look?

04:20 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

05:15 Married Away 06:10 Homes With Style 06:35 Area 07:05 Clean House 08:00 Videofashion News 09:00 Videofashion Daily 10:00 Open House 10:55 How Do I Look?

11:50 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

12:50 Clean House: Search For The Messiest...

13:50 Clean House 14:45 How Do I Look?

15:45 Giuliana & Bill 16:40 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 17:35 Jerseylicious 18:30 How Do I Look?

19:25 Tia And Tamera 20:25 Open House 21:20 Clean House: New York 22:15 Elements Of Style 22:40 Elements Of Style 23:10 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane

00:00 Knightriders-18 02:00 Thieves Like Us-PG 04:00 Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia 05:50 The Curse 07:20 Diplomatic Immunity 08:55 The Last Of The Finest 10:40 Strictly Business-PG 12:00 Limit Up-PG 13:25 Danielle Steel’s Heartbeat-PG 14:55 I’ll Be Home For ChristmasFAM 16:30 From Noon Till Three-PG 18:10 Critical Assembly-PG 19:35 Irma LA Douce-PG 21:55 Knightriders-18

00:55 02:55 04:25 06:15 08:00 09:30 11:20 12:55 14:35 16:55 18:50 20:50 FAM

Sweet Bird Of Youth Westworld Alex In Wonderland Bhowani Junction-PG Black Legion-PG Ada-PG Girl Happy-FAM Key Largo-PG Anchors Aweigh-FAM Captain Blood-FAM Ten Thousand Bedrooms-PG The Unsinkable Molly Brown-

00:00 Third Class Traveller 01:00 Globe Trekker 02:00 The Ethical Hedonist 03:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 04:00 Culinary Asia 05:00 Cruise 1st 09:00 Planet Food 10:00 Globe Trekker 11:00 Safari Stopovers 12:00 Cruise 1st 13:00 Floyd On Spain 13:30 Floyd Uncorked 14:00 Globe Trekker 15:00 Sophie Grigson In The Home Counties 15:30 Cruise 1st 16:30 Down the Line 17:30 Culinary Asia 18:30 Globe Trekker 19:30 Cruise 1st 20:30 Floyd Uncorked 21:00 Floyd Uncorked 21:30 Sophie Grigson In The Souk 22:00 Cruise 1st 23:00 Essential 23:30 4Real

Classifieds MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines KLM PIA JZR JZR JZR ETH ETH THY UAE QTR DHX MSR ETD GFA KAC DHX FAH JZR JZR BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD GFA KAC RBG ABD JZR RKM MEA IRC MSR MSR KAC SYR FDB UAL OMA QTR KNE SVA RJA KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC QTR JZR ETD KAC UAE FDB GFA SVA QTR RBG ABY ALK JZR FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC BAB KAC AIC KAC KAC FDB KAC JAI MSR DHX GRF MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR TAR UAL BBC DLH PIA

Arrival Flights on Monday 23/1/2012 Flt Route 447 AMSTERDAM/BAHRAIN 205 LAHORE 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 185 DUBAI 2620 ADDIS ABABA 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 853 DUBAI 138 DOHA 370 BAHRAIN 612 CAIRO 305 ABU DHABI 211 BAHRAIN 544 CAIRO 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 503 LUXOR 555 ALEXANDRIA 157 LONDON 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 302 MUMBAI 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 344 CHENNAI 3555 ALEXANDRIA 514 BAGRAM 165 DUBAI 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 404 BEIRUT 6521 LAMERD 623 SOHAG 610 CAIRO 672 DUBAI 341 DAMASCUS 57 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 645 MUSCAT 140 DOHA 745 JEDDAH 500 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 788 JEDDAH 284 DHAKA 257 BEIRUT 550 SOHAG 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 535 CAIRO 303 ABU DHABI 118 NEW YORK 857 DUBAI 59 DUBAI 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 6055 AMSTERDAM 3557 SOHAG 127 SHARJAH 227 COLOMBO/DUBAI 177 DUBAI 63 DUBAI 542 CAIRO 744 DAMMAM 786 JEDDAH 618 DOHA 8831 BAHRAIN 674 DUBAI 975 CHENNAI/GOA 104 LONDON 774 RIYADH 61 DUBAI 552 DAMASCUS 572 MUMBAI 618 ALEXANDRIA 372 BAHRAIN 81 BAGHDAD 402 BEIRUT 217 BAHRAIN 136 DOHA 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 327 TUNIS 981 BAHRAIN 43 DHAKA 636 FRANKFURT 239 SIALKOT

Time 0:30 0:40 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:15 1:45 2:15 2:35 2:40 2:55 3:00 3:10 3:15 4:40 5:15 5:30 5:55 6:00 6:40 6:45 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:20 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:15 9:55 10:35 10:45 11:00 11:20 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 13:50 14:05 14:15 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:40 14:50 15:00 15:00 15:15 15:20 15:25 16:25 16:50 16:55 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:40 18:10 18:15 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:15 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:40 20:00 20:05 20:10 20:45 21:00 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:35 23:00 23:45 23:50 23:55

Airlines UAL AXB AIC DLH PIA KLM ETH ETH THY UAE DHX MSR ETD QTR JZR GFA FDB KAC BAW KAC KAC JZR JZR KAC UAE ABY ETD QTR GFA RBG KAC KAC KAC RKM MEA IRC MSR KAC JZR MSR FDB KAC SYR ABD KAC KNE OMA UAL RJA SVA KAC KAC KAC QTR ETD JZR QTR FDB GRF UAE GFA RBG ABY SVA JZR ALK FDB QTR JZR BAB FDB KAC KAC JAI MSR DHX KAC DHX MEA GFA FAH QTR JZR KAC UAE KAC JZR TAR KAC

Departure Flights on Monday 23/1/2012 Flt Route 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 390 MANGALORE/KOZHIKODE 982 AHMEDABAD/CHENNAI 637 FRANKFURT 206 PESHAWER/LAHORE 447 AMSTERDAM 2621 ADDIS ABABA 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 54 DUBAI 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 549 SOHAG 671 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 302 ABU DHABI 133 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 3558 SOHAG 165 ROME/PARIS 541 CAIRO 103 LONDON 311 RAS ALKHAIMAH 405 BEIRUT 6522 LAMERD 624 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 58 DUBAI 551 DAMASCUS 342 DAMASCUS 514 AL UDEID 673 DUBAI 746 JEDDAH 646 MUSCAT 982 BAHRAIN 641 AMMAN 501 JEDDAH 617 DOHA 743 DAMMAM 773 RIYADH 141 DOHA 304 ABU DHABI 538 CAIRO 135 DOHA 60 DUBAI 82 BAGHDAD 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 3556 ALEXANDRIA 128 SHARJAH 511 RIYADH 134 BAHRAIN 228 DUBAI/COLOMBO 64 DUBAI 6056 DOHA 184 DUBAI 8832 BAHRAIN 62 DUBAI 331 TRIVANDRUM 351 COCHIN 571 MUMBAI 619 ALEXANDRIA 171 BAHRAIN 543 CAIRO 373 BAHRAIN 403 BEIRUT 218 BAHRAIN 102 DUBAI 137 DOHA 554 ALEXANDRIA 301 MUMBAI 860 DUBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 528 ASSIUT 327 DUBAI/TUNIS 411 BANGKOK/MANILA

Time 0:45 0:50 1:05 1:20 1:40 1:45 2:15 2:45 3:15 3:50 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:55 6:55 7:00 8:25 8:30 8:40 8:55 9:00 9:00 9:15 9:25 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:10 10:40 11:25 11:45 12:00 12:30 12:50 12:55 13:00 13:30 13:40 13:50 13:55 14:35 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:20 15:35 15:45 15:55 16:15 16:25 16:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:00 18:10 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:35 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:30 19:55 20:05 20:40 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:00 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:35 23:35 23:55

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

ACCOMMODATION Sharing furnished single room available in 2 BR/2 bath flat at Farwaniya for a Muslim working lady.

Contact: 90027245.

(C 3833) Sharing accommodation available for decent couple or working ladies 2 BHK CA/C flat in Sharq, near Amiri hospital. Contact: 99898824.

(C 3835) One big central A/C room available in Benaid Al-Gar, near Al-Salam hospital for decent working ladies.

(Rent KD 100). Please call only interested genuine people. Contact: 97879611.

(C 3836) 21-1-2012

proposals for their daughter age 27 5”3”, completed Bachelors degree, doing Masters in Physio-Therapy in USA. Currently on vacation to Kerala, on short visit in Kuwait (Jan 21st to 25th) invite proposals from Christian parents of Doctors/MPharm/Engineer.

Contact: merlinfredin@gmail.com (C 3831)

TUITION FOR SALE Toyota Corolla, model 2012, golden color 1.6 engine, km done 2400, CD, price KD 3950. Contact: 66396517. (C 3838)

Business management teacher with doctoral degree for universities, institutions, corporate & all student levels. Over 10 years experience. Call 66495951.

(C 3817)

Honda - CRV 2006, registration 2007, 55,000 km, color: Titanium beige, serviced by Honda, excellent condition, 6 CD changer sun roof, one lady owner. Price KD 3,500, not negotiable. Contact: 99545520.

(C 3837) 22-1-2012

Business management teacher with doctoral degree for universities, institutions, corporate & all student levels. Over 10 years experience. Call 66495951.

(C 3817) 16-1-2012

Bedroom furniture for sale as good as new. Call 97564891 - 24357201.

(C 3834) 21-1-2012

MATRIMONIAL Marthomite parents in Kuwait invite proposals for their daughter (26/160/Fair), B/ B in Kuwait, Masters from the UK and currently working in Bangalore as senior executive, from well qualified and employed MARTHOMA/CSI/ ORTHODOX boys (preferably working in Bangalore/ Abroad). Email: thomaskw8@yahoo.com (C 3840) 23-1-2012 Parents settled in US invite

Mathematics

No: 15337

teacher,

Intermediate and secondary Exams models, Easy method, Exams from past years with solutions.

97301901 English teacher (3) years experience, looking for a job and ready to start with all educational stages.

55963993 Mathematics teacher for Universities, Institutions, Foreign Schools, Administrative, American, English, Australian, Bahrain, Electric and Gulf Sciences, Algbra Prel, Mathematics, intermediate, gmat, sat college, math98, 110 pre calculus geometry. 97619261 Senior Biology teacher for secondary stage. Biology for University students and foreign schools, sciences of intermediate stage and 10th grade physics.

A Syrian Arabic language teacher. Masters in methods of teaching and follow up of 10th grade and 11th grade students. 97934291 A Syrian Arabic Language

teacher. Masters, for secondary, intermediate, religious institution, universities, and establishment of the elementary stage using the Aleppo method “the alphabet then the word”.

50513599 Islamic education teacher for elementary and intermediate stages. Experienced in Kuwait curricula. Easy explanation, and summary of the subject, training for exams.

66292985

SITUATION WANTED MBA Degree holder with 25 years multinational experience. Having own car and delivery van, having expertise in Management, Costing and Marketing fields. 10 years in Kuwait.

Looking for Bus. Development and consultancy opportunities.

Contact: 60647270 email: evzonekuwait@email.com (C 3839) 23-1-2012

34

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 566

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You should experience all the benefits of this most powerful planet. Your energy is high and your creative juices are flowing. If you give your best effort now, considerable success may follow. Also, this is a good time to lead the way on a project, for your originality is unusually heightened. Make it a point to communicate clearly—there could be trouble in communicating with elderly people today—there could be a misunderstanding. Also, it’s important at this time not to let personal relationships interfere with your work—especially romantic.

Most of the time, it is best to rely on facts rather than feelings. Leisure activities with friends should be engaged in often. This is an excellent time to deepen a relationship and to get to know someone better.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Make a list of the most important things you need to do today and then put down something that would be fun for you to do when you have done the things on your list. Today is all about tending to the little things that tend to get on the nerves when they are unfinished. You will be very proud of yourself before the afternoon is over and you will have plenty of time to enjoy some favorite pastime. The energies that make up this day are full of static electricity . . . the sort of electric feeling that happens when you move just quickly enough to see your efforts through to a successful end. This evening there are plenty of complements to go around and maybe someone else will cook your evening meal. A walk after dinner is a good thing.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist people inhabiting the Mekong river in Laos and Thailand.

4. Wool of the alpaca.

10. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

13. Any high mountain.

14. A narrative song with a recurrent refrain.

15. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

16. English monk and scholar (672-735).

18. An inactive volcano in Sicily.

19. One or some or every or all without specification.

20. A department of Greece in the central Peloponnese.

21. Greek mythology.

23. A metric unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter.

24. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

26. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

30. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

32. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

34. The United Nations agency concerned with the international organization of food and agriculture.

38. An upholstered seat for more than one person.

40. A workplace for the conduct of scientific research.

41. An informal term for a father.

42. (of persons) Highest in rank or authority or office.

43. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

45. An ester of adenosine that is converted to ATP for energy storage.

48. The Mongol people living the the central and eastern parts of Outer Mongolia.

52. An early French settler in the Maritimes.

56. A small zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere.

57. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters.

58. A long noosed rope used to catch animals.

61. A small cake leavened with yeast.

62. A mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues.

63. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

65. (British) Your grandmother.

66. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

67. Jackal-headed god of tombs.

68. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

DOWN 1. Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958).

2. Fear resulting from the awareness of danger.

3. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

4. A port city in southwestern Iran.

5. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

6. Humble request for help.

7. Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object).

8. Airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc..

9. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

10. A collection of objects laid on top of each other.

11. Transient cessation of respiration.

12. Ox of southeast Asia sometimes considered a domesticated breed of the gaur.

17. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

22. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian mythology.

25. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

27. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

28. A federation of North American labor unions that merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955.

29. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion.

31. A piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep.

33. Fish eggs or egg-filled ovary.

35. Port city on southern Honshu on Osaka Bay. 36. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

37. A public promotion of some product or service.

39. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

44. An aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect.

46. Deciduous shrub of North America.

47. A formal expression of praise.

48. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

49. A woody climbing usually tropical plant.

50. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

51. (Hindu) A manner of sitting (as in the practice of Yoga).

53. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

54. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

55. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools.

59. The bill in a restaurant.

60. American prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942).

64. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You are usually good at handling any problem that comes to your attention but today you seem to be extraordinary. You may be volunteering for some group that needs your type of skill. The door is open, just a little today, to show you a whole new you. If you would like to investigate the possibilities of today you might look into the requirements for heading a volunteer organization or becoming a counselor or volunteering in a shelter. There may be instances when you will have to give a full accounting of your labors, particularly to superiors or those interested in buying your wares or using your talent. This is the time to use your energy constructively and with patience. The more creative you are . . . the more successful you will become.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

Today you find the mistakes of yesterday—and maybe from last week. In finding a mistake, you may be finding a math error while balancing a checkbook. You could take the opportunity to teach a young person from your own mistakes and perhaps revise a budget as well. A friend is helpful in getting you a good deal at some sort of auction or garage sale this afternoon. This could mean a new coat, some furniture or a rug. A visitor in your home this afternoon is most welcomed. There are pictures and remembering types of conversations and a fun time to enjoy your visitor. This time indicates a most favorable period and you will be thrilled to be able to lend a helping hand to a friend or family member. Set an extra place for dinner tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Today is an excellent time to give of your time and energy. An elder family member or a relative with a new living arrangement may need your expertise in getting things more comfortable. Perhaps a sister or brother’s family has just had a child and a trip to the grocery store or a few chores for the family would be appreciated. You don’t have to wait until you are asked; just show up with only the intent to help. A little time of social conversation later this afternoon is fun and enjoyable; however, you must know when to stop the conversation when you are socializing with young people. Believe it or not, and without you realizing it, people love to know what you have been reading and learning and advocating for or against—easy does it.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You may find that there is more responsibility for you to handle but you do not mind. There seems to be some block party or community project to dive into at this time. There may also be a family member that could use your help. This is an excellent time for taking part in group activities. You may find an opportunity to foster a sense of team play where young people are involved. You should try hard at this time to squelch the desire to do everything by yourself. The appreciation you have for friends is heightened. Great things happen if you take the time to express your true feelings. Meeting new people is most favorable. The desire for intimacy and love is great, with the expression of affections being most satisfying to you.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Others are attracted to your energy. You may have to shoo some of these people away some of the time. This may be the day you take your first karate lesson or perhaps an ice-skating lesson. Whatever the case, this something new is invigorating and makes you feel alive and cheerful. There is no point in hiding your light under a bushel when there are plenty of people waiting to encourage you forward. Gathering and exchanging information becomes very important now as well. This may mean some political or protocol question comes to your attention—a very educational experience. Someone may want you to speak at a very important meeting today. You will appreciate the response from your message.

Respect is a central goal for you.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is a great time to be with others and to work together. You may be sought after as just the person for a particular job.

Volunteering to help one person conduct a meeting this afternoon ends with you making arrangements to help this person in the future. It may be that this particular person has special qualities that will help you learn how to manage a couple of projects in your work place. Recognizing the opportunity for growth is a good thing. Selfdiscipline and a sense of self-worth become important issues in your life as a new phase begins. The trick is in learning to make the most of your personal talents and abilities; you work within your limitations instead of feeling hemmed in by them. This evening, the young people in your life want to play.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Someone is being pushy today! There is always time to have fun with this person but stop and take a little more time to let this person communicate. What happens at this time will have a bearing on subsequent actions—it is especially important to have respect. Ask questions that help you in your understanding of this person. This afternoon, you should take every opportunity to get outside and enjoy the natural world. Difficulties seem easier to solve and you should feel more relaxed once you engage in some sort of health-related activity. On the home front, it is best to take it easy and let others have their way. Demanding what you want could lead to frustrations and ill feelings. Tonight is a good time to relax—perhaps a movie.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

The energies that surround you now support your taking full advantage of your position in some community organization.

Fairness to other people is emphasized now. A period of intellectual creativity has dawned in your life. Expressing yourself with flair comes to mean more to you. Beating the odds through cleverness is appealing and this may lead to an interest in all kinds of speculation or sports. Figuring out how to organize projects and people is apt to become a topic of special interest—and a challenge. This evening, close personal relationships are likely to undergo some testing; activate that good-listener side of you.

Cement your ties to others and make sure they are rock-solid—because if they are not, they are apt to crack under stress.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Tremendous mental energy may help to inflate your ego— take care to avoid being temperamental and touchy. If you channel this energy well—you can be very influential. Your sense of humor may be a saving grace. Others may find that you are very clever. You will impress people in conversations and communicate to loved ones on new levels. Progressive people and idealistic groups or concepts play a more important role in your life now. This is a concern for something bigger than any one person—the good of the many outweigh the needs of the few. You could be experimenting with new concepts. You may find that someone close to you understands and is supportive of you. Rest this afternoon—enjoy a creative hobby.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

This is not a good time to make any concrete decisions about a relationship. Although a friend or relative may ask questions, it may be better to hedge a bit longer when it comes to giving out information on that relationship of yours. You are interested in finding new ways to make money these days and may spend a great deal of time looking through the employment section of the newspaper. You could be swayed into gambling later today. Why not walk away from this temptation and complete a creative project that you have been meaning to work on lately? The faster you actually see some project through to the end, the faster you will be able to have a focus in your day. Enjoy the out-of-doors this afternoon; it will boost your energies.

A

y

e niv rsar n

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

Years

i n f o r m at i o n FIRE BRIGADE

112

STATE ST TATE T OF KUWAIT K KUW WAIT A

Tel.: T el.: e 161

DIRECTORA DIRECTORATE ATE T GENE GENERAL ERAL OF CIVIL A AVIATION V VIA ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEP D PARTMENT A DEPARTMENT DA AY: Y Sunday DAY:

Fax: 24348714 WWW .MET.GOV V.KW . W WWW.MET.GOV.KW

22/01/2012

Ministry of Interior

Ext.: 262 2627 27 - 2630

Issue Time Time

07:00

Expected Weather Weather for the Next 24 4 Hours

website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

BY Y DAY: DA AY:

Cold with w light to moderate freshen freshening ning at times north westerly wind, with speed of 15 - 40 km/h

BY Y NIGHT: NIGHT:

Very cold north speed V ery e co old with light to moderate no orth westerly wind, with spe eed of 10 - 30 km/h

No Current W Warnings aarnings

WARNING W A ARNING STATION ST TATION T

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

MAX. EXP EXP. P.

MIN.. REC.

KUWAIT KUW WA AIT CITY

13 °C

05 °C

24812000

KUW WA AIT AIRPOR RT KUWAIT AIRPORT

13 °C

-1 °C

Al-Jahra

25610011

Amiri Hospital

22450005

NUW WA AISEEB NUWAISEEB

14 °C C

03 °C C

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Maternity Hospital

24843100

WAFRA W AFRA A

14 °C

02 °C

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

SALMI

12 °C

-4 °C

Chest Hospital

24849400

ABDALY ABDAL LY

13 °C

-2 °C

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

ALIYAH JAL ALIY YA AH

13 °C

-2 °C

Adan Hospital

23940620

FAILAKA F A AILAKA

12 °C

04 °C

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

PORT AHMADI POR RT

12 °C

03 °C

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

UMM AL-MARADEM M

12 °C

09 °C

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

WARBA BUBYAN W ARBA A A - BUBY YA AN

12 °C

-3 °C

Hospitals Sabah Hospital

Clinics Rabiya

SFC. CHAR CHART T

22/01/2012 0000 0 UTC

POLICE STATION

4 DA DAYS AY YS FORECAST Temperatures Temperratures

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

DAY DA AY

DA DATE AT TE

WEA WEATHER ATHER T

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Wind Direction Direction

Wind Wind Speed

Monday

23/01

cold

15 °C

00 °C

NW

12 - 35 km/h

Tuesday T uesday

24/01

cold

16 °C

02 °C

NW

15 - 38 km/h

24848075

Wednesday W eednesday

25/01

clouds cold + scattered clo ouds

16 °C

03 °C

NW-VRB NW -VRB

12 - 32 km/h

Keifan

24849807

Thursday

26/01

clouds cool + scattered clo ouds

18 °C

04 °C

SE

10 - 32 km/h

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Fajr

05:19

MA AX. T emp.

MAX. Temp.

11 1 1 °C

Abdullah Salim

22549134

S i Sunrise

06:42 06 42

MI IN Temp.

IN. Temp.

MIN.

02 °C

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Zuhr

12:00

MAX. RH M

51 %

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Ardhiya

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36

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Gere

attends his first Sundance Festival ichard Gere once saw Utah from horseback while moving cattle, but his trip to the Sundance Film Festival to premiere “Arbitrage” is his first actual visit to the state. The 62-year-old actor says “it sounds ridiculous,” but he was moving cattle through Nevada with some friends and “we rode up to a ridgeline and they pointed up, ‘That’s Utah there.’” Gere says it was a seven-day cattlemoving trip on horseback. He was in Park City Saturday to promote “Arbitrage,” a thriller about the lure of money and power and how it affects one’s personal values. Directed by Nicholas Jarecki, the film also stars Susan Sarandon, Nate Roth and Laetitia Casta. The Sundance Film Festival continues through Jan 29.

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Country music star

Brice escapes bus fire tour bus carrying country music star Lee Brice caught on fire outside a restaurant in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, forcing the musician and his crew to flee. KNXVTV (http://bit.ly/z2VYTG ) reports that the group had been on the road for nine hours when the bus caught on fire Saturday. The “Love Like Crazy” singer had a concert in Mesa.

Mesa firefighter Shaun Denman says crews worked quickly to keep the fire from spreading to a trailer behind the bus.

He says the flames were “about as high as the roof of the building.” Brice says he and a few other people were asleep at the time. He says they left the bus “and within minutes it was in flames.” He says he’s thankful no one was hurt.

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Heidi Klum to divorce from Seal upermodel Heidi Klum will file for divorce from singer Seal due to “irreconcilable differences,” TMZ.com reported. has learned. Citing “sources with direct knowledge” of the matter, the website reported that Klum would file divorce papers in Los Angeles County Superior Court as early as next week. She is expected to cite “irreconcilable differences” as the cause for the divorce, the report said. The

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couple married in 2005 and have three children. Seal also adopted Klum’s child from a previous relationship. Klum and Seal were famous for renewing their vows every year on their wedding anniversary, TMZ.com said. Klum attended last Sunday’s Golden Globes awards ceremony without Seal, the website noted.

Buffett plays

Paradis doesn’t believe in soulmates he 39-year-old actress - who has been the subject of reports that her 14-year relationship with ‘The Tourist’ star Johnny Depp is in trouble - revealed her thoughts on love while promoting her new movie ‘Cafe De Flore’. MailOnline quotes Vanessa as saying she didn’t believe in marriage or soulmates because “if you lose your soulmate everything is done for”. She added: “The idea of a soulmate is beautiful and very romantic to talk about it in a movie or a song, but in reality, I find it scary. “‘Cafe De Flore’ speaks of love, its joys, its pains and its dramas - to love and to lose.

This story upset me, I was upside-down, in the depths of myself.” Although Johnny and Vanessa who have two children Lily-Rose, 12, and son Jack, nine, together - have never married, Johnny claims it is because their relationship is perfect as it is. He has previously said: “We’ve never married and that’s how it is going to stay - for now. As one of our presidents once said, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ We just haven’t done the big public vow thing. It doesn’t seem necessary for us. Others may want to go down that road - we don’t. “If you call meeting Vanessa an ‘achievement’, it was certainly that. It came at the right time. We were both ready for children, and she’s given me Lily Rose, and Jack. I saw Vanessa across a room - and I first saw only her back! But I immediately thought: “That’s the woman for me.”

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ukulele in China New Year gala he online version of a glitzy television gala marking the Chinese Lunar New Year yesterday featured a video of US billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett singing and playing the ukulele. The 81-year-old investment guru appeared in a room in an unknown location, sitting in front of a huge train set, wearing a black jumper and singing the American folk song “I’ve been working on the Railroad”. China is preparing to say goodbye to the New Year of the Rabbit and welcome the New Year of the Dragon-which starts today-with fireworks and dumplings, in the nation’s most important annual, family holiday. The country’s state-run television CCTV broadcasts a glitzy gala every year on Chinese New Year’s Eve, but it was unclear whether Buffett’s segment would be featured on television as well as on the earlier web version of the show. The 45second video, available on CCTV’s website, is titled “Buffett sings and plays (the ukulele), offering his vocals for CCTV’s online Spring Festival (show).”Buffett, who holds a stake of nearly 10 percent in Chinese auto group BYD, is no stranger to China. In September 2010, he and fellow billionaire Bill Gates triggered huge media hype when they hosted a banquet in Beijing for China’s super-rich to discuss charitable giving. The philanthropist has long been seen as a model investor by China’s growing legions of rich, many of whom hope to emulate the investment guru’s feats as the nation’s economy grows.

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Lavigne

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s boyish nickname hiloh Jolie-Pitt has a new nickname to be more like her brothers. The five-year-old daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is known for her tomboy habits and is now said to have asked her family to call her ‘Shax’ because it is similar to the names of her siblings Maddox, 10, Pax, seven, and three-year-old Knox.

A source told National Enquirer magazine: “For a while Shiloh had everyone in the family calling her Ben for some reason but she grew tired of that. “These days she’s decided she wants to be known as Shax because Maddox, Pax, and Knox’s names all end in the letter X. “Angelina and Brad are going along with it and think its cute.” Angelina - who also has daughters Zahara, six, and three-year-old Vivienne with Brad - has previously revealed that Shiloh always wants to be like her brothers. She has said: “Shiloh dresses like a little dude.

Shiloh, we feel, has Montenegro style.

It’s how people dress there. She likes tracksuits, she likes [regular] suits. She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair.

She likes to wear boys’ everything.

She thinks she’s one of the brothers.”

grateful to LA Reid vril Lavigne is grateful for the freedom she was given by LA Reid. The ‘What the Hell’ hitmaker was given her first record contract by the ‘American Idol’ judge when he worked for Arista and she is pleased he allowed her to write her own material. She said: “LA Reid is the man. My experience was he signed me, he believed in me, he got me.

He always gave me my freedom to be who I was, to make the type of record I wanted to.

On my first album, I was so young - I was 16 when I was making it. Everyone figured that people would write songs for me, and I was like, ‘No, I want to write my own music.’ It was so different from anything that was out there.

LA was like, ‘She’s onto something. Just let her do her thing.’ So it was great. Avril admits she found it difficult working away from the music

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Wahlberg’s wife wants him to stop collecting art he ‘Fighter’ star has an impressive collection but admitted he may have to cut back after his spouse Rhea - with whom he has four children Ella, eight, Michael, five, Brendan, three, and two-year-old Grace - put her foot down. He explained: “I gotta stop collecting art. I bought a piece by Marc Chagall [the Russian-French artist] recently and my wife wanted to kill me. She said it looked like my daughter had painted it.” Rhea has also put a stop to Mark’s long preparation time for movies. In the past he liked to shut himself away to get into character but his 33year-old spouse has insisted he spend less time away from his family from now on. He told Total Film magazine: “I love preparation. I do whatever the director wants me to do, but I no longer have the luxury to go some place three weeks early and rent a place and go to places I think my character might go to. My wife would be like, ‘Are you out of your mind?’ But I certainly do what I have to do to prepare, whether it be physically or mentally.”

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boss and feels “re-inspired” after signing a deal with Epic Records, the label now headed up LA. She added in an interview with WWD: “Later on down the road we got separated when he moved to another record company, and other people came in and took over. It was difficult for me, especially on my last record, working with all these random people that really didn’t even understand me at the record company. “And now I get to be back with him, and it’s exciting again. I’m totally re-inspired.

When you’re writing and creating, you can’t have these businesspeople come in and try to be all business. [LA] finds a balance between business and creative, and he’s really good at not making it weird or interfering in the creative process.” —Agencies

37

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

LIFESTYLE M u s i c

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M o v i e s

offers rare vocal ‘Pyrotechnics’ S

File photo shows mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux is interviewed at her publicist’s home in New York. —AP

ometimes Vivica Genaux loves to sing with the precision and breakneck speed of an athlete - in “techno rhythm.” Other times, the tunes are achingly slow, but still bursting with passion. The common thread of most of the songs she performs is that they come from obscure archives, silent for centuries. The four-time Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano is now taking some of the forgotten works by Vivaldi and others on a US tour, in a program called “Pyrotechnics,” after one of her albums. “It represents fireworks, both the flashy, really fast-moving ones, and also the more delicate ones that glitter and fall like golden fronds,” says Genaux, who is featured on Vivaldi’s “Ercole sul Termodonte” (“Hercules in Thermodon”), which is up for a Grammy next month for best opera recording.

The tour, with Fabio Biondi leading his Europa Galante ensemble, starts Wednesday at Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and includes Las Vegas and Denver. On Feb 2 in New York, Genaux appears at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall with the ensemble based in Parma, Italy - a few hours from the home near Venice she shares with her husband. It’s far from Genaux’s native Fairbanks, Alaska, where she learned to drive her family’s huskydrawn dog sled, and to change a car tire in 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (minus 39 Celsius).

She’s equally at ease in a Venetian palazzo, trying on a designer stage gown. “In Italy, I learned how to be a girl,” she jokes. In Spain, where she sang a “pants” role - a woman singing a male part - “I learned how to be a boy.” And this fall in France, she’ll tackle the ultimate “girl” part - Bizet’s seductive 19th century “Carmen.” The 42-year-old singer is not as well known as her amazingly agile voice and musicianship deserve, perhaps because she has focused on the “Early Music” of the 1700s, with its special, smaller audience - for pieces often so fiendishly difficult that very few can pull them off technically. But there’s much more to it.

Works like Vivaldi’s “Ercole” are “very modern, really,” she says in an interview at the Manhattan home of her publicist. “The songs are about relationships between people, about personal contact, and that’s the same now as it was 300 years ago, as it was 1,200 years ago!” Vivaldi wrote “The

Snowy Serb village

hosts Kuestendorf film festival erbia’s quirky Kuestendorf film festival is a long way from Cannes-instead of a red carpet, there is a carpet of snow, and boots and winter sweaters replace tuxedos. Yet the event, held in a rustic mountain village that was once a filmset, has attracted a strong international following for its offbeat charme and its bold stance in defence of independent film-making. As the film and music festival’s founder, Serb director Emir Kusturica, puts it, the week-long event is dedicated to “defending the dignity of author films that are facing the terror of the market”.

“It is getting more and more difficult to have a project survive in this new world of the liberal market,” Kusturica’s daughter Dunja, in charge of film selection for the festival, told AFP. This year, in its fifth edition, Kuestendorf drew French screen star Isabelle Huppert and US director Abel Ferrara among its guests. As they arrived by helicopter or by car at Drvengrad, the movie-set wooden village hidden in rough mountains in southwestern Serbia, there was no red carpet and no hailstorm of camera flashes.

At the heart of the festival is a wooden structure that houses a screening hall, restaurant and the cafe “Prokleta avlija” (The Cursed Yard), named after a book by Ivo Andric, the only former Yugoslav Nobel Prize winner. It is a place with a relaxed air where big-name stars

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mingle with film students, journalists and other guests. “I am delighted... to be able to mix with people whose works I admire,” says 22year-old director Lee Filipovski from Canada. “Emir has set up something that allows the breaking

ple of upcoming screenings and concerts. He is also happy to accompany guests who want to try their skills on the nearby ski slopes.

For Huppert, a first-time guest at Kuestendorf, the “plethora of directors, great directors” is on par with

Sarajevo-born director Emir Kusturica and South Korean director Kim Ki-duk attend the opening ceremony of the Fifth Kuestendorf film and music festival in Drvengrad, on January 17, 2012. —AFP of rather rigid rules.”

The festival’s creator, Sarajevoborn Kusturica-a two-time Golden Palm winner at the Cannes film festival-relishes mixing with the guests at Drvengrad, which has been his home since 2006. With his famed unruly hair, he greets guests at mealtime, chats with movieindustry hopefuls and informs peo-

the Cannes guestlist. This year, Kuestendorf brought together winners from better-known festivals four Golden Palms winners from Cannes, one Golden Bear from the Berlinale and one Golden Globe for the best foreign film.

Thierry Fremaux, the artistic director at Cannes, described Kuestendorf as a “unique festival in

times when it is difficult to invent a new form”.”I hope that young author-directors discovered by the Kuestendorf festival will one day appear in Cannes-first simply to come and see the films and eventually, one day, maybe, with a short or long film in competition,” Fremaux said. Huppert, smiling and relaxed, talked to the press before joining a workshop with young authors to discuss at length with them her 1991 film “Madame Bovary”, directed by Claude Chabrol. Kusturica also welcomed directors from South Korea and Turkey, Kim ki-Duk and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, together with French rising star Tahar Rahim.

Belgian’s directors-brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne were also there, along with Iranian director Marjane Satrapi and her compatriot, actress Leila Hatami, star of the 2011 film “A Separation”. Hatami chaired this year’s Kuesterndorf jury, which also included French producer Pierre Edelman and Serbian actor-producer Zoran Cvijanovic. It will award Kuestendorf’s Gold, Silver and Bronze Egg awards to the best among some 20 movies in competition from Belgium, Britain, Estonia, Italy, Canada, France and the United States. —AFP

Sundance sheds light on neglected US star e was compared to Bob Dylan or the Rolling Stones, but his records flopped and his musical star faded without traceuntil he was rediscovered in South Africa.

“Searching for Sugar Man,” in competition at the Sundance film festival, tells the story of Sixto Rodriguez, who made two albums in the early 1970s but then quit music-and who knows nothing about his fame on another continent.

The documentary was made by first-time director Malik Bendjelloul, who first discovered Rodriguez while travelling for six months in Africa in 2006, and was fascinated by his story.

Bendjelloul recalls that he learned that Rodriguez was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1942, but his musical career ended almost before it began, while all other stars around him were making musical history in Motown. “Are you kidding me ? This is the greatest story I have ever heard,” he told AFP at the independent film festival, on in the ski resort of Park City, Utah, which will continue until January 29. Indeed, Sixto Rodriguez’s story could have been crafted by a Hollywood screenwriter with a taste for the romanesque. Born into a Mexican immigrant family, he was discovered by two producers in a bar, where he was famous. Hoping they had found Motown gold, they helped him record his first album, “Cold Fact,” in 1970.

It was a success, but did not sell well. The next year, when he started working with another producer, came his second record “Coming from Reality.” Again, it showcased Rodriguez’s talent, but flopped commercially. Taking a hint, the young Rodriguez gave up his musical ambitions, and went off to work in the construction industry. But while his records failed to take off at home, by accident a bootleg copy made it to South Africa, where it struck a chord with progressive young whites, exasperated with the

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apartheid system.

His success there was such that, given the fact that the artist himself was not around, bizarre stories began to emerge about him, including one that claimed that he had committed suicide by setting himself alight on stage. In the end, the curiosity of two young fans broke

Director Malik Bendjelloul, of the film “Searching for Sugar Man,” poses for a portrait during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on Friday. —AP through the myths: they found he was still alive, living in the United States. They brought him to South Africa where he was greeted as a hero in 1998, playing six sold-out concerts. “Searching for Sugar Man” tells the story of those two fans’ search for Rodriguez, and of his musical renaissance. “It was a lot of pressure because I had to make a movie as good as the story and as good as his music,” said the director, adding that his

biggest fear, before embarking on the film, was that he might be disappointed by the music.

“I was afraid because this was the best story I had heard in my life, and I don’t even wanted to listen to it because... what if it’s bad? I played it to a Dylan fan and he said, ‘This is better than Bob Dylan.’ “‘Cold Fact’ is just one of the best albums of all time,” he added. So why did he fail to take off in the 1970s? Bendjelloul blames race. “Now it’s very different, with Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony ... the people in the industry don’t care. Race doesn’t matter anymore in America,” he explained. “But at that time, if you were Mexican you could play music, but Mexican music, mariachi...

“But Rodriguez was challenging the white rock scene, the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground and Bob Dylan. And at that time in America, I don’t think you were allowed to do that. You should stick to what you are supposed to do.”

Despite those issues, in the film, Rodriguez voices no bitterness. Now aged 69, he looks well, despite the modest life he has led-he never got a cent from the thousands of albums sold in South Africa-and appears calm, detached, and amused by his belated musical recognition. A tour is planned in the United States this summer, which will allow US music fans to judge for themselves. “I’ve never met anyone in my life with so much dignity,” said Bendjelloul. “Really, you feel this grace, this kind of royalty when you meet him, and you feel so much respect for him.

“He should be treated with respect, love and justice.” —AFP

Four Seasons,” now heard in everything from ringtones to car ads. But many of his other compositions might have remained voiceless if it weren’t for Genaux. With the help of musicologists, she’s resurrected them along with forgotten pieces by Handel, Rossini and German-born composer Johann Adolph Hasse. Leafing through his long-lost operas, “I got goose bumps just touching these manuscripts that were there since the 1700s,” she says. “That’s about 95 percent of what I do - pieces that haven’t been performed since then.”

It took years of soul-searching and experimenting for Genaux to figure out where her voice truly belonged. At the University of Rochester in upstate New York, she majored in genetics, simply because she’d been surrounded by science as a child; her father was a biochemistry professor and her mother a teacher. Music was a hobby. Genaux played Eliza Doolittle in a high school production of “My Fair Lady,” listened to ABBA’s rock music and enjoyed Fairbanks’ “sing-it-yourself ‘Messiah’ where you sang the whole bloody ‘Messiah’ - not just two pages of the ‘Hallelujah’!”

Halfway through college, she switched to singing, transferring to the University of Indiana’s arts school in Bloomington as a soprano, eventually becoming more comfortable as a mezzo. In 2002 came her breakthrough - the Grammy-nominated album “Arias for Farinelli,” the infamous “castrato” who was the rock star of his time, improvising on melodies as one does in jazz. Farinelli’s voice was a force of nature.

And so is Genaux’s, critics says.

“Onstage, she’s a powerhouse,” says David Shengold, a music critic who writes for New York-based Opera News and London’s Opera, the world’s leading magazines on the subject. “Her florid work - fast coloratura with clean runs, trills and wide, accurate skips - makes for bold, astonishing vocalism.” There’s one quality that Genaux lacks, though: the elitism many people associate with classical music.

“Come, wear jeans, rip holes in the jeans, put on the worst pair of tennis shoes,” she says. “But come and see ... come experience something new!” —AP

‘The Artist’ wins over producers at Guild Awards he Artist” continued its love affair with American cinema after winning best-produced film on Saturday at the Producers Guild Awards (PGA), boosting its chances for an Oscar nod ahead of the Academy Award nominations next week. The silent black-and-white French comedy, starring Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, is a homage to the pre-talkie era of Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s and tells the story of a fading silent movie star as sound began entering the world of cinema.

“When Michel Hazanavicius and I dreamed of making “The Artist,” we knew we were dreaming of writing a love letter to American cinema. We never knew in return we would get a taste of the American dream,” Thomas Langmann, the film’s producer, said in his acceptance speech in Beverly Hills. The film has been sweeping awards ceremonies in the run up to the Oscars, winning best picture at the Critics Choice and Golden Globes earlier this month.

It was up against nine other films in contention for best-produced film on Saturday, including female-led comedy “Bridesmaids,” civil rights drama “The Help,” and Steven Spielberg’s epic tale “War Horse.”“The Adventures of Tintin,” produced by Spielberg, picked up best-produced animated film. The Producers Guild awards are significant in the race to the Academy Awards on Feb. 26, as many of the 5,000-plus members of the PGA, are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who vote for the Oscars.

For the last four years, the producers’ best-produced film picks have gone on to win the best picture Oscar, with “No Country For Old Men” in 2008, “Slumdog Millionaire” in 2009, “The Hurt Locker” in 2010 and “The King’s Speech” in 2011. Other PGA award winners on Saturday included “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest” for best-produced documentary, which explores the journey of influential hiphop group A Tribe Called Quest. Angelina Jolie received the Stanley Kramer award for “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” which she wrote, directed and produced, an accolade reserved for contributions that highlight provocative social issues.

The Oscar-winning actress delivered a sober acceptance speech, noting that when war-film “Schindler’s List” won a PGA in 1994 during the Bosnian war, “the world turned a blind eye” to the atrocities happening in Eastern Europe at the time. Spielberg was awarded the coveted David O’Selznick achievement award and comic-book legend Stan Lee received the Vanguard award, presented by “Spiderman” actor Tobey Maguire.

Both received standing ovations as they took

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive at the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday. —AP photos

Actress Kate Capshaw director Steven Spielberg, center, and daughter Sasha Spielberg. the stage.

ABC’s “Modern Family” was named bestproduced television comedy for the second year running, while HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” was named best-produced TV drama. PBS’ British period drama “Downton Abbey” was named best-produced longform television series. —Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

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‘Tween’ lingerie walks Lolita tightrope Photos show creations for teenagers at the Banana Moon stand during the Salon de la Lingerie (Lingerie International Fair) in Paris. —AFP photos

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ometime between their last Barbie doll and their first boyfriend, pre-teens have become a niche target for lingerie firms, vying to secure their favors as lifelong consumers of frilly under things. But creating bras for the barely-pubescent is a potential minefield for brands: a too-bold design or a bit of padding in the wrong place, and they can stand accused of turning their junior clients into sexualized little Lolitas. At the International Lingerie Fair taking place in Paris this weekend, a dozen firms had models aimed at teens and pre-teens-also known as “Tweens” including girls as young as nine. “For girls that age, the main challenge for brands is to appeal to their mothers,” said the fair’s head Cecile Vivier. “You have to be reassuring, and not too sexy.”

Most of the pre-teen lingerie on offer at the Paris fair played it safe with simple, lace-free little triangles, sometimes dubbed training bras or bralettes. Petit Bateau, which specializes in cotton children’s underwear, offers girls aged 12 to 16 triangles with a hint of paddingwhich it says is aimed to hide the nipple, not boost bust size. For most girls that age, explained Petit Bateau’s wholesale commercial director Muriel Mertz, a first bra aims chiefly to conceal the changing figure. “It’s all about comfort and invisibility,” she said. “We are still in a kid’s world, before girls turn to something more womanly, more seductive.”

Skiny, an Austrian firm which designs underwear for “the whole family”, also offers demure-cut, bright colored, teen bras aimed at girls from 10 upwards. “It is really carefully done-with no padding,” said the brand’s international sales manager Stefan Breitband.

“We’re not really about sexy lingerie. There’s no attitude.” For Tween lingerie is risky territory: last summer the French brand Jours Apres Lunes caused a stir with a line aimed at fourto 12-year-olds that was attacked in Britain and the United States as sexualizing little girls.

While its bra and panty sets, in black-andwhite or pink, were innocent enough, the ad campaign offended by showing children mooning in their underwear, dolled up in womanly hairdos, shades and ropes of pearls.

The brand’s founder, Sophie Morin, hit back

arguing that her clothes aim precisely to bridge the gap between “plain cotton undies, and the lingerie world whose products are too sexy for children.”

A US research team last year found that nearly a third of clothes targeted at pre-teen American girls had “sexualizing characteristics”-such as the use of slinky red or black materials or leopard-skin prints, or cuts that emphasized the buttocks or breast area.

American pre-teen store Abercrombie Kids has repeatedly been accused of overstepping the line-in 2002 for selling thong underwear with “wink wink” and “eye candy” printed on the front, and last year for a kid’s push-up bra.

Concerns about the appropriateness of preteen lingerie has prompted Britain’s retail consortium to publish guidelines for manufacturers targeting young girls, urging them to avoid lace and push-up bras.

“First bras should be constructed to provide comfort, modesty and support but not enhancement,” says the text published last

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Fashion Week

Models present creations by Samuel Cirnansck of the 2012 Winter collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil. —AFP

year. To complicate matters further, the teen lingerie boom coincides with a trend towards earlier physical development of children which is seeing many girls hit puberty younger. According to a US study published by the journal Pediatrics in 2010, 15 percent of American girls now have breasts by age seven, with similar trends observed in Europe and Australia.

Just what is causing the shift is not fully understood, with possible factors including obesity or hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment-but whatever the root cause, the result is that many teens need real, womanly bras from a young age. Lise Charmel’s teen brand, Antigel has seen sales for deep cups, from D to G, soar by 46 percent in the past three years. “Young girls with a large bust have to go into stores full of women‘s lingerieall lace and frills-which just isn’t right for them,” said Sophie Grimaud, the brand’s public relations director. So what kind of bra is right for these teenagers?

“Girls that age want colour, graphic lines,” said Grimaud. “They are not trying to show off their body.” That said, Antigel-which admittedly targets a slightly older age bracket, starting at 15 — veers well into sexy territory, with an offer that includes deep-plunging bras and suspender belts. Likewise Cleo, an older teen brand specialized in large cup sizes, offers retro-looking cuts, polka dots and 50s prints on bras and boxers.” We target fairly confident young girls, who want to have fun with their lingerie, and who don’t want to feel like their mothers,” said Marlene Castanheira, Cleo’s sales director, when asked about the sexier looks in its catalogue. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

lifestyle

France

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Fashion Week

Models present creations by Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck during the AutumnWinter 2012/2013 ready-to-wear men’s fashion collection show on January 21, 2012 in Paris.

—AFP photos

Heidi Klum to divorce from Seal

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

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Filipino-Chinese wait for their turn to perform a dragon dance on the eve of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila’s Chinatown district yesterday in the Philippines. This year is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar. —AP

Oprah tells India love of books central to her life T

elevision chatshow queen Oprah Winfrey received a rock star’s welcome when she spoke yesterday to a heaving audience of thousands of fans at the Jaipur Literature Festival in India. Winfrey, wearing a gold and red Indian outfit, told the packed crowd that her love of books had helped her education and enabled her to rise from a poor childhood in Mississippi to become one of the world’s most influential women. “Reading is what I do for pleasure, what I do to relax myself,” she said to cheers from spectators. “My ideal day is to spend a day reading a great book, and knowing I have another one to read.”

“At school I turned in assignments a week early to get another book. The other kids hated me,” she joked, before naming Gregory David Roberts’ 2003 bestseller “Shantaram”, which is set in Mumbai, as one of her favorite novels. Winfrey, who ended her chatshow last year after 25 years, has been in India for a week

filming for her new TV channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). She has been photographed in Mumbai wearing a sari and partying with Bollywood film stars, visiting shanty towns and women’s welfare centers, and sight-seeing at the Taj Mahal.

“It has been one of the greatest life experiences I have ever had,” she told the crowd, adding that she felt “expanded, enriched and deepened” by her first trip to India. She drew laughter by saying she was shocked at the huge number of people everywhere and at drivers’ refusal to stop at a red light, but said she had learned that there was a “calmness” underneath the chaos of

Television talk show host Oprah Winfrey gestures while speaking.

A fan of Oprah Winfrey holds up a placard.

Indian life. Winfrey, who has nearly nine million followers on Twitter, admitted that she worried that reading habits are being damaged by increasing use of computers for social networking. “I feel that, because when I am on it (Twitter), I feel I could be reading a book right now,” she said, receiving a loud round of applause from the crowds, many of whom stood several rows deep for her one-hour appearance.

Winfrey’s book club, which recommended titles for her viewers, is credited with reviving reading among many Americans and her personal choices have had a huge effect on sales. “It started with five minutes at the back of the show,” she said. “And it turned into this major idea of exposing the world to books.” Oprah, 57, who is single, was also questioned on India’s favorite subject of marriage prospects. “I really am my own woman, but I have great respect for how arranged marriages here turn into love marriages,” she said. “I am too old now, right?” — AFP

Fans of Oprah Winfrey pose with their t-shirts during the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) in Jaipur yesterday. —AFP

Television talk show host Oprah Winfrey converses with Indian Journalist Barkha Dutt during the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF).

Rushdie says India death threat was invented

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ritish author Salman Rushdie yesterday accused Indian police of making up an underworld plot to assassinate him that forced him to pull out of a literary festival this past weekend. Rushdie withdrew from the event in Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan, after being warned by Indian officials that paid gunmen were heading to the city to kill him for his writing that is alleged to insult Muslims. But Rushdie said that he now believed the supposed plot-apparently undertaken by Mumbai criminal gangs-had been invented to keep him away from the festival and to avoid controversy.

“I’ve investigated, & believe that I was indeed lied to. I am outraged and very angry,” Rushdie said on Twitter after newspaper reports that Rajasthan police had concocted the death threat. Rushdie’s 1988 novel “The Satanic Verses”, which remains banned in India, is seen by many Muslims worldwide as a blasphemous work that insults their religion. The author, who was born in Mumbai, spent a decade in hiding after Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989 calling for his death over the novel. Many authors at the Jaipur festival, which draws tens of thousands of Indian and foreign visitors, expressed their opposition to the campaign against Rushdie and said free speech needed to be protected.

Writers Hari Kunzru and Amitava Kumar read out passages of “The Satanic Verses” from the stage in protest on Friday, angering some local Muslim groups who had welcomed Rushdie’s withdrawal from the program. Rushdie appeared at the festival without incident in 2007 but this year Muslim

A file picture shows Indian-born British author Salman Rushdie arriving to dedicate his book in Hungarian language by the Libri bookshop of Mammut Plaza in Budapest, 29 November 2007. —AFP

activists lobbied for him to be banned, raising fears of protests and security problems.

Among more than 250 speakers at the popular five-day event are US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, biologist and atheist author Richard Dawkins, and Indian best-selling novelist Chetan Bhagat. When Rushdie announced on Friday that he would not attend the festival, he said he had doubts about the accuracy of the intelligence reports but that it would be “irresponsible” to ignore them.—AFP